SIR J. VOGEL’S RECEPTION AT WANGANUI.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 546, 18 March 1876, Page 2

SIR J. VOGEL’S RECEPTION AT WANGANUI.

The Wellington Evening Post of the 16th instant says;—The Luna arrived at 10.30 yesterday morning, earlier than was expected, shortly after which the reception committee proceeded on board to welcome Sir Julius Vogel. Mr Alexander, chairman, presented the following address:—“ To Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G. —Sir, —We, the electors and inhabitants generally of Wanganui and surrounding districts, desire to welcome you amongst us. In recognition of your distinguished services to the colony, this district has returned you by a large majority as one of its members in the General Assembly, and is gratified to have identified with it a gentleman who by his own merit alone has won a first place amongst the statesmen of the British colonies. Your return to the colony in improved health has created pleasure and satisfaction throughout its length and breadth. New Zealand has watched your efforts to serve her while absent, and even those in political opposition cannot but acknowledge the great and imperishable nature of the results you were enabled to achieve. The success with which you negotiated the four million loan upon terms most ; favorable even at a critical period in the history of the colony, as well as the untiring industry you devoted to a great number of questions of the first importance to the whole colony, is admitted upon all sides. There is no reason to express anything but faith in the future, but whatever change may take place, we recognise the patriotism of a statesman who has established so many claims to our esteem. The district which you represent has special reason to thank you for the bold and decisive action which you took with regard to the question of the abolition of provincialism, This is a subject on which Wanganui and the surrounding districts have long held decided opinions, and it has been generally felt that local government can never be brought horre to the people until a system so centralising in its tendencies as provincialism is abolished, or that the natural impulses of New Zealand will ever move in harmony while there exists so many bodies claiming Parliamentary privileges. We believe that A broad and liberal system of local

- . '■ ... . - - self-government is being matured, and it gives us no inconsiderable pleasure to think that your colleagues will have your assistance and experience in framing this important measure. We earnestly hope that your health may be completely restored, and that you may long continue to direct the people of New Zealand in laying the foundations of a great and prosperous colony.” Sir Julius Vogel in replying, said he came perfectly unprepared to receive an address, and expressed gratification at the way he had been received by the people of Wanganui. He had exerted himself for the benefit of the colony, during severe illness, and was pleased at the recognition. When he arrived in Melbourne, he was agreeably surprised to hear that so important a constituency as that of Wanganui had elected him as one of its representatives, and for which he begged to thank them. His connection with the town dated from his connection with the Fox Ministry, when he carried a measure for securing a bridge at a time when money was only spent for war purposes in the North Island. He would address the electors on Thursday, when he would not only address them as their representative but as the head of the Government, and give a full expression of its future policy and the manner in which they intended to carry out a local system to supersede provincialism. He again thanked them. The reception was very enthusiastic, and cheers were given for himself and Lady Vogel.