Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1880. THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 14, 19 October 1880, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1880. THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP.

I At last Sir Julius Yogel has tendered his resignation as Agent-Gene-ral for New Zealand, and it has been accepted by the Government. As is well known, he has for some time past held the position of Chairman of the New Zealand Agricultural Company, a large English concern. It was felt all along that this was incongruous with his position as Agent-General, but owing to his past services, and perhaps fear of his many friends, the Government have been chary of giving him an ultimatum. They have at length succeeded in screwing up sufficient courage to tell him he must either resign the Agent-Generalship or give up his position as Chairman of the Agricultural Company. He has chosen the former alternative, and his official connection with the Colony is virtually at an end. During the time Sir Julius Yogel has held the position of Agent-General, he has done good service to the country, more by his private defence of its resources and financial state, when attacked, than by the manner in which he has carried out his duties a& Agent-General. In his official position he has shown tlw same desire for self-aggrandise-

ment and profit as marked his career in tho Colony, and to him us well as *Etio English moneylenders New Zealand has proved a good " milch cow;"' Imfc in tho Press he has successfully I taken upon himself the onerous task of defending IScw Zealand with a I heartiness that has gone far to j cause the country to submit to his grabbing propensities. There are of course numerous rumours floating about as to the future intentions of Sir Julius Yogel. One is to the effect that he will return to the Colony, and again enter the political arena. Thia is most, improbable. Nothing but bare necessity would force him to return to New Zealand. His reception at Auckland, when he left tlie Colony,' would be repeated in a good many quarters if he plauted his foot once more upon New Zealand soil. The colonists now understand his mercenary character, and realise the fact that his grand public works scheme was but. a means to blind the eyes of the representatives, in order that he might better gain his- ends, and rise to position. "Where five years ago there were blessings uttered on his name there are now heard curses from unemployed nnd oppressed taxpayers. The Colony can almost take up Byron's mournful wail, and, if he docs return, meet him with these words : — My days are in the yellow leaf ; The flowers and fruits of love are gone ; The worm, the canker, and the grief Are mine alone ! The object to which Sir Julius Yogel bent his energies in New Zealand, was to gain such kudos here as would assist him to enter the English Parliament, where he hoped to achieve sti;l greater triumphs. Though beaten at Falrnouth, he will, unless we are mistaken in him, try again, either there or in some other constituency at home, as he is not tho man to retire when defeated once ; unless, as we have said, necessity compels him to return to the colony to secure his living, for he is a notorious spendthrift. Even if lie does honor New Zealand again with his presence, and re-enter the political arena, he will have some difficulty in working up auother golden dream, as our credit will not at present raise the requisite millions. Also, the severe biting we are now suffering through his visions, will make us beware of him in future. Various persons are spoken of as his successor, including Mr Reader "Wood, Sir E. Stafford, and others. It may be questioned whether there is any necessity, now the immigration and public works schemes are virtually stopped, to appoint a successor to him, holding the same powers, drawing £1500 per annum as salary. A good business man could most certainly bo found in the Colony to do the work equally well for about one-third the amount, as the responsibility will in future be very small. We want no grand ambassadors in England. Better far for us to settle downtoourproperposition as a young and deeply-indebted colony, than to try and indulge 121 grand ideas which we cannot honestly afford. Whoever is appointed; it is to be hoped Sir Julius Yogel will stay where he is, and that if tho colony must have an agent in England, he will be allowed a salary equal to the circumstances of the country he represents.