Sir Julius Vogel at Christchurch

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 118, 21 March 1885, Page 2

Sir Julius Yogel at Christchurch

«. (PEB UNITED PBESS ASSOCIATION.) Chbistchubch, March 18. Sir Julius Vouel, M.H.K. for Christ-' church North, addressed a meeting of upwards of twe thousand people in the Queen's Theatre to-night. The Mayor occupied the chair and in a few appropriate words introduced tbe speaker. Sir J. Yogel on commencing to speak, was applauded. He said it was deeply gratified for the kindness of Christchurch North in returning him, almost a comparative stranger, their representative in Parliament. Referring to party distinctions, he said there actually was very little difference between the party lines. He would not .detain the meeting by instituting any comparisons between his Ministry and tbe previous Government. His object rather was to refer to some of the Government measures of the future. (Applause). The importance of the prosperity of the coal harbors of the West Coast to the people of Canterbury' and tbe colony generally was very great, and his Government had fully recognised the importanoe. (Applause). Sir Julius Yogel then proceeded to refer to the measures introduced during the past session, and explained briefly the nature of their operations. Since the recess «teps had been taken to carry out many of the works agreed to by the House, and several were now in a forward stnte. The labors of his colleagues since the recess were severally detailed and explained. He was pleased to notice that the successful tender for the first colonial- made locomotives was from a Christchurch firm of manufacturers, and he trusted tbat it would be but tbe beginning of new system of supplying our own resources. It was also a subject for congratulation that tbe newly-established line of direct steamers had been subsidised for the conveyance of mails to the Home Country. Another important subject that had engaged the attention of Government was that of local industries. The Exhibition to be held in Wellington shortly was but the beginning of a series, which were intended to fosteand encourage the industries of the colony. The conservation of our forests and the future sale of native lands were measures that would occupy the attention of the House during the coming session. He hoped to see the lands settled on by a working population and not monopolised by land speculators. The reform of the Upper House was a subject that would likely come up for discussion. (Loud applause) ; but the Government did not in- ! tend to deal with that question but would leave it to the Upper House to reform itself, and that too in a lasting manner. Whilst recognising the necessity for cheap money to assist our struggling farming population, he did not believe in a gigantic colonial paper currency. S;>eaking for himself and not for the Govern ment, he thought it was possible that debentures might be issued by the Government at a low rate of interest to persons requiring assistance in developing the lands of the colony. He now came to the question of the Federation of th colonies, a question of the utmost importance to this colony. He submitted that the Colonies did nut understand the importance of the subject, and insisted that if the Federation Bill became law it would remain a dead letter. Tbe people of Victoria did not thoroughly understand the question in all its most' important bearings; if they did they would not be so enthusiastic in their advocacy of the measure. If we would see New Zealand rich we must not depend upon our mining, agricultural, or our pastoral pursuits, but must devote more uttention to the development of our manufactures. Referring to protection and free trade he said he was not an advocate of either, but believed in a revenue tariff. The opponents of a customs tariff were to be found among the large importers, and to admit foreign goods absolutely free would be to benefit the importer at the expense of colonial manufacturers. In conclusion he declared that the prosperity of the colony depended in a large degree on the prosperity of the masses, and whilst he did not wish to appear indifferent to the welfare of tlie working people still he thought the Government should formulate practical rather than theoretical meaeures. After speaking fer an hour and a quarter, Sir Julius Yogel concluded amidst lou 1 and continued applause.