SIR JULIUS VOGEL'S RECEPTION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 39, 11 February 1876, Page 2

SIR JULIUS VOGEL'S RECEPTION.

"Wew,ingtow, Friday. The reception accorded to Sir J. Vogel last night" was a great Bucee'S. The weather was beautiful, and shortly after six o'c'ock crowds were seen gathering in the direction of the wharf, numbers from the, country having arrived to join in the reception: ' There were at least 7000 people who took part in the demonstration, and some estimate it at 10,000. His progresß alone the wharf was amid a prolonged blaze of fireworks, an avenue of torches, and. resounding cheers^ The following address -was presented to him: — ■..'-• "To Sir Julius Vogel, KCM G.— We, the working men and citizens of Wellington, being well assured of the sympathy of our fellows in other parts of New Zealand bid you welcome "We recognise in you*- a friend and patron of the working '.men, whereas before the inauguration of the -scheme ot public works and immigration we were without unity of pnrpose or hope of future independence. Your policy is the bond which unites us, and the lever which hi.s raisfd .us to our proper level in the grand scale of industrial civilisatiou. For an increase of participation . in the profits of industry, and for- happy homes and contented lives we have to thank you. Difficulties there may he in the way of tbe accomplishment of your grand projects, but these will certainly be overcome if the Government continues in the course it has hitherto pursued. We believ-a. impli-j. citly, not. only in your genius, but in your, earnestness and sincerity of purpose, and we ark you to trust in bur confidence and support. We are, on behalf of the subscribers, William Black, chairman; John MrComiskey*, treasurer; George South, secretary." - ' •Sir Julius Vogel said: — Mr Mnyor and gentleman.— Before proceeding to reply, let me' thank you for the cordial manner in wbich you have received me on my nturn to the colony. I can assure you it delights me very much to find myself once more on the shorei of New Zealand, Since my return, tbis is tbe first time I hare landed:in New Zealand after an absence of sixteen months, and the cordial and flattering reception you liave extended to me; gives me sincere pleasure a"d arouseß my, liveliest gratitude A painful illness kept me from the colony much longer than I anticipated when I lelt its chores, but you will, I hope, excuse my pausing -this much to say it gives me pleasure to remember that notwithstanding my illness I was able .with the exception of some seven r or eight weeks, to umeaeiogly devote myself to the onerous duties which were devolved on . me, and I hope it will be found that my labors in several important matters to which I had to aitend have not been without service to the colony. I was reminded of. one of these matters this morning as, on the beach of a Utile quiet bay where probably hitherto few feet have ever trodden, I saw a niluiber of carpenters erectim* a house to shelter the cable which in two or three weeks wi'l p'aue New Zealand in telegraphic communication with the civili-ed world. The opinons of me and of my works which you express on behalf of the working classes of the co'ony generally and of the citizens of Wellin'gto i gratify me exceedingly, «nd reward me for many yeara of anxious labor. The success of the Public Works policy comprehends the prosperity, of all classes of the community, and no greater evidencti of that succesß could be des : red thin the feeling of the working classes, as well as of the citizens, that the policy has carried with t encouragement to active industry, and that it bus been the m* ans ot making the*r homes happy and their lives conented. The welfare of a young country like this depends not upon the good fortune of a favored few. but upon the widely distributed prosperity of the many. , The general diffusion of wealth is mot likely to promote continuous efforts in the direction of that abiding settle- , ment which is really the great object befoe ' us. To that end have tfforts been made to gift the land with large inducements to colcn zation by opening through it the means of communication We have to hope thit those who to day are the employed will iu time become employers, and that their ambition will lead them to fettling down in their, ownjeottages on tbeir own lands, whether in the towns, or rural, or mining districts of the colony, as their occupations may lead them to prefer. My colleagues and I are equally anxious to promote the progress of the country and the happiness of the people, but oa tbe people themselves the greater part , ot the result depends. The central Govern- . ment haß lo see that the machinery doe* not get out of order, but with tbe great mass of the people rtats the working of that machinery. By diflusing throughout tlie country the true spirit, and power, ani opportunity of self government, call it by, what name jou will, we give to the people the means of happiness and advancement. Certain I am that never had people a Dobier theatre or a worthier cau-4e. The results, not only of my own observation but of tbe observation of others mu* h more competent to judge, convince me \ that New Zealand possesses, in an eminent degree, and to an exceptional extent, natural advantaged ior supporting nn i rendering happy a large population. Other lauds there may be more productive, other lauds with even pleasanttr climates, other lands with equally gifted people but for the union of all the: advantages of good land, a pleasant as well as us: Jul and cerv ceable climate, varied resources, a hardy enterprising educated people, — for, in short, a combination of all the qualities which should make the founders of a youog country look forward with a faith no reverse ean dim to a bright future, I firmly bi-lieve New Zealand has no superior, I question, indeed, whether it has anything like an equal on tho world's wide surface. Years sinoe, men laughed when I predicted the position amongst her Majesty's possessio ie to which these islands would is time attain ; now, 1 believe, the idea is becoming general that Now Zealand will soon be second to noue of the co.onies of the Empire. The eye*, indted, of many countries are on you,: and it rests with the people of New Zealand to tread the luminous path to the proud destiny iu store for them. My own humble efforts will, I hope, be merged in the gloriei of the colony wilh which they are identified. I thank you, Mr Mayor and gentlemen, for your kind address and welcome. ,( ■ *.* , - * . •

The torchlight procession, after poiog I round the Central Sajmre, proceeded to fc>ir J. Yog-el's pHv'aty house. v5 : .;. {$$ >v .. (1 ; J