THE PREMIER BANQUETTED AT GRAHAMSTOWN.

Evening Star, Issue 3436, 25 February 1874, Page 3

THE PREMIER BANQUETTED AT GRAHAMSTOWN.

[By Telegraph.] February 24. The Hon. Mr Vogel was entertained at a banquet this evening; the Superintendent being present. In responding to the toast of, his health, which was received with enthusiasm, the hon, gentleman said He bad visited the Thames on many occasions, and had a personal interest in it. When first he visited it five years ago he did not realize the progress it would make. He did not anticipate in so short a time to see such an entertainment as this, and he himself the guest of the evening. They were in a town called into existence by the accidental discovery of gold, and a town with all the advantages of many other towns ; although engaged in absorbing pursuits, they took great interest in Few Zealand affairs. He might say, without egotism, he had considerabl experience in goldfields ; and, notwithstanding the depression, he was convinced there was a great future before it. When he considered how much had been done, and how little really had been explored, he should he sorry to feel a doubt of the future, as comparatively small researches led them fo he lieve and expect a much larger amount of treasure being'brought to light. Ke instanced the present prosperity of Sandhurst, and the rewards attending the efforts of those who had kept tho field, and devoted their energies to its development. A great deal, of injury bad been done to quartz goldmining by a report that gold would not he found at a great depth. 'J he history of the neighboring Colonies showed the blighting influence o£ that scientific dictum. How much capital had been expended in spite of that dictum, and by many who were almost ashamed of doing it? In the face of such a statement, he believed the bar placed in the way of gold-mining had not been effectually removed, because it was necessary to remember how many thousand tons of earth had to be removed to obtain even a small quantity of gold. Those engaged in gold-mining had rather to rely on their own judgment than the opinions of scientific men, and this, to •, with merely investing their money ou goldfields. If the same amount of confidence was evinced in the search of mineral wealth as in other pursuits, he believed it would have been increased a hundredfold. He hoped the Thames would not only satisfy the local shareholders, but those who had invested in it living at a distance. In the Imperial Crown mine, for instance, if it became a success, it would be a great encouragement for the investment of much foreign capital. He believed the Thames possessed more advantages than any goldfield in the world. One in Columbia might be something near it, but tip Tfyajnes bad the finest natural highway, fitbipg pofild injure it. Tbpy bad advantages in which nothing could deprive tpcm of. > Thjj Thames pould be heard Spoken of fn Australia. America, and EngP of its large fields, and if be a Pity if tfee Thames should languish for the expenditure ‘ of an adequate amount of capital. There could be no possible danger of the Thames dying put for want of capital to develop it. After referring to local matters, the Premier said the development of the forest resources was occupying the attention of Government. He considered it desirable that accurate information should he obtained in regard to any sources of rivers in connection with the conservation of rivers and forests. Perhaps they expected heiwould say something on-the matter of export duty on gold. He was not going to shrink from tho question. He believed it was a great mistake to reduce the export. 'lhose who did it thought they were doing a duty to their constituents. At the time the duty was going up there was more money being spent oh the goldfields than accrued from such revenue. He did not regard it as a tax, but a fair levy for mining on Crown lands, and did not see why such a charge should not be fair, especially as it was £?R e P,4, ed °P fbe goldfield wjure raised. They had now pome forward wifh a proposal to Ipvy uupthpr £ve per cept, in order to giye 3, guarantee fpr money to proBpectors, and he thought.if another halfacrown had been levied, it would, in the early days of goldfields, have been a boon, as tne money would be at command for works of utility when gold was more diffi. cult to get. He was not favorable to doing away with the duty ou gold, nor was he in favor of the reduction made, but he would like to see a portion of the export duty on gold spent in assisting to open up the auriferous resources. He would then refer to another subject—the establishment of a mint. Any subject affecting goldfields when cropping up in Wellington, was liable to elicit a peculiar feeling. It appeared to b« thought that representatives of.goldflelda were unlike other people. The establishment of a mint would possibly fix a standard price for gold, which would be its only advantage; while it would be. a continual annual loss. It would be an advantage locally. Only miners, however, were possibly defrauded by a combination, but the law of supply and demand was the remedy, and he did not conaider the Government were warranted in procuring such a costly necessity as a mint to prevent such a combination, and its influence on the miners. Moreover, it was not likely the Imperial Government would sanc- & b P ft* establishment of a mipfc. He would }, J® IjS “® e broad Colobial 1 ‘feeling established in the* 1 communities/. He wanted people to see that the wants of the miners were the wants of others. One exceptional thing was the franchise. The Government proposed to do away with the exceptional PW an 4 substitute manhood suffrage, Hg wished he coufd tay universal suffrage—•fie saiatnafcas bis personal opinion—act as

representing his colleagues. (Applause.) He did not see why women should not exercise a share in the selection of representatives, Mr Vogel concluded by referring to the pleasure it gave him to be present amongst so many prepared to support the policy of his Government that evening. It was a memorable anniversary to him. It. happened to he his birthday —(applause, and glasses filled. Cries of “Many happy, hsppy returns of the day”)—and he was happy to spend it with them.