* * Jjfaimmattt Ippld. TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1881. SIR JULIUS VOGEL'S LETTER. # . « j.—

Manawatu Herald, 30 August 1881, Page 2

* * Jjfaimmattt Ippld. TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1881. SIR JULIUS VOGEL'S LETTER. # . « j. —

It will be remembered that about the time of the opening of the session it was whispered that a letter had been received by the Government from Sir Julius Yogel and returned unanswered. Considerable curiosity was expressed at the time with reference to the matter. This is now satisfied by the publication of the letter in the colony, Sir Julius Yogel having forwarded a copy out by last mail. The letter itself is an able production, bristling with points, and the feelings of the Ministry when they received and read it can easily be understood. It 'is scarcely to be wondered that they determined to return it unan- j swered. In fact, that was the only course left open to them, as there is no denying that such a letter from the Agent-General to the Ministry was. an act of subordination to which no Government could be expected to submit. It is true that at the time when it was written Sir Julius Yogel was, as he himself remarks, " holding office for the convenience of the Government," but, admitting such .was' the case, no one knew better than himself that it was not becoming in any one holding office under any circumstances to write in such a tone to the Ministry. He himself; evidently anticipated that his i le#er wquld not meet with a favorable reception at the hands of the | Government, as he remdrks in it that " he has spoken to the colony rather than to. the Government, for be feared the latter would not profit by hiairemarks, but; he trusted they would not be denied publicity.." . The ;j&iion'6f*Sir- Julias Yogel, arid the tone of his letter to the Government, show tlmi; it is extremely difficult for a man used to command to aocomhis mental habits to those of a servant.! ,' Sir. George Grey is another example of the same kind. His worst fault is that while he is not 1 fitted to lead, lacking tha power to

oisMuse, he will not follow. It is IpFsntaie with Vo^el. In his letter simply ridicules the Government for their weakness in allowing 4>he colony to suffer as it, did from th« depression. He says the depression affected the whole civilised world, and that -when it was rolling over England,idri\ing thousands and thousands of- persons possessing the means and knowledge most wanted in this colony to find new homes, the Government decried the colony, a"ud did their hest to persuade the colonists that they must give up their colonising policy. I'he-oolonists are not likely to generally endorse Sir Julius Vogel's remarks under this head. We think he takes a mistaken view of the: object of the Government;, although very few will disagree with him as to the effect of their action. The action of the Goverijment was that of men who aated with perfect honesty but with exceeding ti jiidity. Comparison cannot be made between the bold, enterprising schemes of Sir Julius Yogel and the hesitating, cautious policy of Mr Hall. Possibly, if the former had been at the helm during the depres sion at home he would Have obtained such an influx into New Zealand of tenant farmers with capital as would have prevented this colony from suffering to the extent it did from the depression. He has a genius for bending circumstances to his will,and evidently believes that a stout heart and a strong hand would have secured large benefits for this colony from the depression at home. It is hardly to be wondered that, taking this view, he should blame the Government for their weakuess and timidity when strength and boldness were so necessary. The central idea of Sir Julius Vogel's public works policy was that we needed increase of population, and that in order to afford temporary employment for the immigrants imported it was necessary to carry on public works and immigration simultaneously. But no one ever supposed that the influx of population was to stop when free or assisted immigration ceased. On the contrary, it was hoped that the money spent in immigration would be the sowing of the seed, and that the harvest would be a large and steady influx of population from Great Britain Early in November, 1879, the ship Wairoa arrived at Wellington with 212 passengers, all of whom paid the cost of their passages themselves. . Referring to their arrival we wrote in this journal on Nomember 7; 1879 :— This shipment may be regarded as the fruit of the seed sown in the past. The public works policy was always intended as a tentative course of action. It was intended to act as a means of stimulating the flow of population to this country. To secure this, immigration agents were sens home, and it was alway3 expected that when the resources, prospects, and advantages of New Zealand became- known, a large section of the population of Great Britain would pay their own passages, and settle in the GSlony. Sir Julius Yogel said in effect, "We need population ; wo are at the antipodes, and must foster immigration by pecuniary assistance, until our colony becomes known ; af tor that is acomplished, the prosperity of the men whom we bring out will be sufficiently great to induce others to pay their own passages ; but in order to secure this prosperity, we must carry on simultaneously public works, so as to afford employment to the immigrants, and open up the lands of the country." That those were the principles upon which Sir Julins Yogel enunciated his policy, we distinctly remember. His ideas nave been realised, an/l we regard the arrival of the Wairoa as their outcome. We believe the stream that has begun will increase, and that the question for the future is, not how can we obtain population, but what can we do with it ?

We still hold those views, and we can but echo the sentiment of Sir Julius Yogel that the Government missed a splendid opportunity of reaping to the full the benefits of the great public works policy he had initiated. It is not probable this letter will immediately effect the politics of the colony. It is certain, however, to cause a deal of discussion throughout the colony, and we believe the discuss;bp will be op the whole favorable to the late Agent-General. It should, however, be borne in mind, in judging between the Government and Sir Ju ius Yogel, that there is a

wide difference between the parties. The present Government are cautious and timid to agree, to a great extent the creatures of circumstances. Sir Julius Yogel, on the other hand, is bold, daring, and enterprising. Whether caution is better than enterprise in a young colony is a moot question ; but in this instance, Sir Julius V"gel makes out a remarkably good case in favour of a bold policy.

Stockyards. — We understand the contractor for the erection of Messrs Thynne, Linton & Cb's stockyards expects to have them completed in about a fortnight, aud that the first sale will take place about that time. The yards are being most, substantially built, and as we believe the starting of cattle sales -will have a most beneficial effect upon the district, we trust Messrs Thynne, Linton &, Co. will reap a substantial reward for. their enterprise. Local Board Election. — We remind the ratepayers that the eleotiooiof members to the FoxtoD Local Board takes place on Thursday, at noon punctually, and the poll will take place on the followiag day. Of the old Board, Messrs Purcell and Coley intend to offer themselves for re-election, while Mr Reeve is undecided. Messrs Jonson and Easton are determined not to stand again. The other names mentioned are Messrs Thynne, Bockstrow, Futter, Honore. It is therefore probable that a pretty lively election will eventuate. Heavy Weather.— Oa afternoon, about 2 o'clock, there-^rere indicadons of a heavy storm from the north-west. It broke shortly after three o'clock, and has contiuued without latermwaion ever

Bince, the squalls being at times of tremendous violence. As showing the force of the wd it may be noted that two covered v&jpp left on the railway line alongside the wharf wew blown valonf the metals for about a hundred yards, until stopped by a stack of timber, notwithstanding that both brakes were down ; while it was also found (.hat they had run over a board an inch thick which had been blown across the line. Train Delayed. — The train yesterday morning was delayed about 35 minutes by the accumulation of sand on the rails about 4£ miles from Foxton. A considerable quantity had gathered on the line, and the guard returned on foot a short distance to obtain the assistance of some of the linemen who were working near. Meantime the engine-driver and his mate set to work with their shovel, and with the assistance of the linemen the whole of the sand was removed in about half-an-hour. Foxton Local Board. — The Board met last evening, at 7 o'clock. Present — Messrs East on, (Chairman), Purcell, Jonson, Coley, and Reeve. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Later read from Messrs Duthie & Co., enclosing invoice for lamps. Received. Letter read from Gravel Tramway Committee, staling that the gravel ordered for Clyde street would be delivered. Received. The following accounts were passed : — W. H. Reeve, carting, &c, L 6 18s; P. Collins, labor, LI 8a 6d ; J. Gutrin, removing sandhill, Ll4 123; W. Wells, for bridge near Mr Stewart'B, LI ss ; total, L 24 3s 6d. Where the Money has Gone ! — We commend the following facts to the ratepayers of Awahou. Since March 1, 1880, the sum of £612 has been voted by (he Manawatu County Council for expenditure , on the Avenue road, Foxton, made up as follows :— March 1, 1880, £2(10 ; June 7, 18S0. £62; August 2, 1880, £100; January 17, 1881, £50 ; February 21, £200 ; total, £612. The whole of the above money was voted for work beyond the Avenue bridge, the work of improving and widening the road between the bridge and the Main-street being left to the Local Board. And yet there are some of the ratepayers so blind to their own interests as to want money spent in improving the roads leading to the outdistricis ! The £612 spent carries the road nearly up to Mr W. Reeve's property. The public will of cour.se see from these facts that their rates have been spent to the bestpossible advantage — of owners of property on the Avenue road. Such an array of figures as that, gijfen should completely shut the mouths of tnose persons who doubt the dixintfirestedness of our public men. Local Board Finances. — Ac the meeting of the Baard last night, the Clerk stated that ihe account was overdrawn about £35, which, with the accounts just passed, would bring the amount up to £59. Besides the above there were outstanding liabilities — Avenue sandhill contract, £66 ; street lamps, &c, £45 ; total debts aud liabilities about £170. Against the above there was to be placed, due on existing rate, £295 ; on previous rate, about £40 ; t Hal assets, £338. The Board expressed the opinion that a large amount of rates wouid probably be collected at the election. Retiring. — Before the Local Board broke up last night, the Chairman and members made a few remarks as to the manner in which they had conduced the buiuess. These will appear in next issue. Entertainment.— The Rowing Club will give a musical en'ertainment at the Foxton Hall on Friday nigh. The programme will be published in Friday's Herald. Latb Coach. — The heavy weather prevailing on the Coast yesterday delayed the j arrival of the coach until about half-past five. The Property Tax. — Abolition sometimes in the political world means centralisation. In this sense it is, we tlnd, that the Property Tax Department has been abolished. The branches have been abolished, but the head office at Wellington remains. The work of receiving will be done by the Post Office Department, in the case of persons who prefer not to communicate direct with the head office. It ia unnecessary to point out to a public which has had experience of the Property tax valuation, that this course \i ill very much increase the discomfort of the Property tax. When Deputy Commissioners were resident in the large centres of population hundreds of difficulties connected with the working of the tax were referred to them, and disposed of by them on the spot, promptly and satisfactorily. With nothing but a central office at Wellington, what chauce is there that local grievances of this kind will receive the same prompt and satisfactory attention? The country may get along well enough till the next assessment, but when that comes to be made aud levied the country cannot but be inundated with complaints. In fact, between the unavoidable ignorance of the Post-office people, who have, as Property tax collectors, already, it is whispered, broken-down, and the distance of a central office full of supercilious underlings, the Property tax business bids fair, we feel convinced, to be quite unworkable. It is absurd to talk of economy as the reason. Economy is never a good reason for mismanagement. The only supposition which at all justifies the qourae t adopted is that the tax is not intended to ; remain. The more' we turn the subject over, the more does this conclusion become clear. We hope that some information will be afforded by which the country can ascertain whether Government is scheming in this matter, or only blundering in an absurd attempt to pacify the House by wasteful economy. — Lyttelton Times.