MR VOGEL'S SPEECH AT GRAHAMSTOWN.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1554, 27 February 1874, Page 131

MR VOGEL'S SPEECH AT GRAHAMSTOWN.

[by electric telegraph.] GRAHAMSTOWN, 24th February. His Honor the Sup* rintendent and the Provincial Executive met the Premier at a banquet this evening. A large party were present. Mr. Vogel, in replying to the toast of his health, returned thanks for the kind manner in which he had been received. He had hardly expected this cordial reception after the plain answer he had given to the deputation which had recently waited on him. He thought at the time it was desirable to be outspoken on the subject, and the deputation, by their presence tonight, showed that they were not upset by his candid expression of opinion. He thought it better to deal frankly with the deputation, and it had evidently not cost him their good opinion. He had visited the Thames Goidfield on many occasions, and had personal interests in the field when he visited it five years ago, but he did not realise the progress which it would make, and be did not anticipate, at so short a notice, to see such an entertainment as this, and be 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 older towns. Although engaged in absorbing pursuits, they took great interest in New Zealand affairs. He might say, without egotism, that he had had considerable experience in goldfields, and, notwithstanding the present temporary depression, he was convinced that there was a great future to look forward to. When he considered how much had already been done and how little had really been explored, be should be sorry to feel any doubts of the future, as comparatively small researches led them to belie ve and expect a much larger amount of treasure being brought to light. He could instance the present prosperity of Sandhurst, and the rewards now attending the efforts of those who had kept the field, and devoted their energies to its development. A great deal of injury was done to quartz goldmining by the reports that gold would not be found at great depth. The history of the neighboring colonies showed the blighting influence of that scientific dictum, and how much capital had been expended in spite of that prediction, and by many who were almost ashamed of doing it in the face of such a statement. He believed the impediment placed in the way of goldmining had not been effectually removed, because it was necessary to remember how many thousands of tons of earth had to be removed to obtain even small quantities. Those engaged in gold miuing had rather to rely on their own judgment than on the opinions of scientific men; this, too, with men investing their money on goldfields. If the same amount of confidence had been evinced in the search for mineral wealth as in other pur suits, he believed it would have been increased a hundredfold. He Imped the Thames would not only satisfy local shareholders, but those who had invested whilst living at a distance. In the Imperial Crown, for instance, if it proved a success, it would be a great encouragement for the investment of much foreign capital. He believed the Thames possessed more ad vantages than any other goidfield in the world; one in Columbia might be something near it. The Thames possessed the finest natural highway, nothing could injure it; and they had advantages in that respect, of which nothing could deprive them. The Thames goidfield could be heard spoken of in Australia, America, and England in consequence of its large yields, and it would be a pity if it should languish for the want of an adequate amount of capital. But there could be no possible danger of the Thames dying out for the want of capital to develop its resources. He had read the report of a proposal to develop the Thames on a large scale, and he believed that a deputation was going to wait upon him regarding it, but he would not anticipate any discussion that might arise from that interview. He was favorable to all suchenterprises, but they would see that it would not be wise to anticipate it. He was gratified to find that in any dry season the proposed water supply promised to be ample. He believed that, when complete, it would enable a large quantity of quartz to be worked, which at present was not payable. Coal-mining was a cognate subject, on which the field so much depended, and they might take a deeper interest in that, as bearing on their immediate interests. The Government was anxious to develop mineral resources, and had received every support from the Legislature, and local interests were never allowed to interfere to the prejudice of the colony. He believed they had not yet attained to the luxury of a Mayor, but he hoped they would have done so on his next visit. He was surprised that the Thames had not been made a municipality before now. He would like to see it made as large as possible. Ballarat East and West, as two municipalities, had caused inconvenience, and so it would if Shortland and Grahamstown were disunited. One large municipality would be effective and economical, especially if divided into wards. He believed that the supply of gas and water, and also the tramways, should be in the hands of a municipality. An Act passed two years ago had placed large powers in municipalities, giving them extended action, and he commended it to their view, to obtain the control of such local works themselves. A municipality would not start portionless, as the Government had secured endowments in the foreshore, and it would rest with the Superintendent and the Executive as to the conditions on which the administration of such could be entrusted to the local powers. While asking for a railway, pos sibly they did not remember the improvement of river navigation. The Government considered the river navigation as important, especially as connected with the development of the forest resources. That question was now engaging the Government's attention, and he considered it desirable that accurate information should be obtained with regard to any sources of rivers. In connection with the conservation of rivers and forests, he hoped to see the time when the full utilisation of the rivers would make this a large city,.with plenty of back country at its command, and perhaps something on the export duty on gold. He was not going to shrink from the question, and be believed it was a great mistake to reduce the export; those 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 on the goldfields than accrued from such revenue. He did not regard it as a tax, but as a fair levy for mining on Crown lands, and he did not see why such a charge should be considered unfair, especially as it was expended on the goldfield where it was raised. They had now come forward with a proposal to levy another 5 per cent, in order to give a guarantee for money to prospect, and he thought that if another half-crown had

hei'n levied in the early days of goldfields it would have been a boon, as tht money would be at command for works of utility at a time when gold was more dilficiilt to get. He was not favourable to doing away with the duty on gold, nor was he in favour of the reduction lately made, but he would like to see a portion of the export duty on gold spent in assist-. ing to open up the auriferous re sources. lie would then refer to another subject, which was the establishment of a mint. Any subject affecting the goldfields, when cropping up in Wellington, was liable to elicit a peculiar feeling, and it appeared to be thought that representatives of goldfields 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 continuous 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 consider the Government were warranted in promising such a costly luxury as a mint- to prevent such a combination, and its influence on the miners; moreover, it was not likely the Imperial Government would sanction the establishment of a mint. He would like to see' a broad colonial feeling established in the communities. He wished 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 this exceptional franchise, and to substitute manhood suffrage. He wished he could say universal suffrage—he said that as his personal opinion, not as representing his colleagues. (Applause.) He did not see why women should not exercise a share in the election of representatives. Mr. Vogel then referred to the pleasure it gave him to be present amongst so many prepared to support the policy of his Government. That evening was a memorable one to him, as it happened to be his birthday (applause, and glasses filled, with "many happy.returns of the day"), and he was happy to spend it with them.