New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1874.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4210, 17 September 1874, Page 2

New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1874.

When the intelligence became known that Mr. Vogel intended to visit England, calling at Auckland whilst on tho journey, it was anticipated that he would take tho opportunity of addressing his constituents. This practice has been observed by members of Parliament representing constituencies in both islands, and had Mr. Vogel departed from it the electors of Auckland would have felt a very reasonable disappointment. They could not have expected to hear anything new from him respecting the great questions of the day, because, in New Zealand, where there are no foreign politics to occupy the attention of Cabinet Ministers, tho Premier, at the close of the session, is very much in the position of a man who has just made a clean breast of it to those with whom he is associated in politics. The case was widely different when, six months ago, Mr. Vogel addressed his Auckland constituency. Then ho foreshadowed a large portion of tho Ministerial policy for the ensuing session. The Auckland electors were made aware that the attention of Parliament would bo directed to the Polynesian question ; and also, that the Government intended to introduce a State Forests Bill. These' wore to bo the features of the session, according to the Ministerial programme. How this became varied, by the force of circumstances, has probably been very much better understood at Wellington than in Auckland. For this reason it was well that the Premier should explain to the electors that the change was an inevit-, able one. Mr. Vogel had seen, as every intelligent politician had, that the time was coming when Provincial institutions would become things of the past, and circumstances that had occurred- had forced the conviction. on his mind that the present was the period 'for action. The people of Auckland, yet smarting from the wound inflicted when the sent of Government was removed, naturally clung with more tenacity than would be exhibited elsewhere to the form of Government that was left to them. Taking this away seemed to them like stripping them of their little all. It is probable that they will see the matter in rather a different light aftqr hearing tho address of (ho. Premier. The interest they took in this was manifested by tho crowded state of the hall in which the speech was made. It is impossible, as Mr. Vogel said, for any Government to be always contradicting rumors ; and this forms a good and sufficient reason why a formal contradiction of tho absurd report, manufactured by certain ill-conditioned people in Wellington, that the Colony had seen the last of the Premier, and that he would, upon his arrival in London, appoint himself Agent-General, has not been sooner given. Wo say absurd, for such a step would be tolerated in no country. Tho Ministry, were Mr. Vogel to do so, would not exist a day after Parliament met, and the succeeding one would bs compelled to recall him. For a Ministry to appoint one of its minor members to an office of profit under the Crown would he looked upon with grave suspicion ; but for the leading member of it to appoint himself would bo an unheard-of proceeding. We say appoint himself,' because everyone knows that though the colleagues of the Premier are well, able to discharge all the duties that will devolve upon them during tho ensuing six months, virtually the lion’s , share of the work, whether Parliament is sitting or not, falls upon the Premier. Now ho has positively stated that it is his intention to return, and in the face of this he could not appoint himself to any office in London without rousing the indignation of the entire Colony. Moreover, it is a patent fact, that he takes-ns much interest in the politics of this Colony as a veteran player does in a game of cards, and ho is just as likely to throw up his hand in the middle of the game. The rumor we have been alluding to will be found to be of an extraordinary origin and structure, when it is investigated. The parties who invented it cannot find colors black enough to paint Mr. Vogel in whilst he is here. They describe him as the enemy of Wellington, of tho Colony, and the "very incarnation of all evil and mischief. Directly they find out, or pretend to find out, that he is going, they, discover that he cannot on any 1 accofint be spared. Ho must’ stay, say they, to carry out his policy, or the Colony must go to perdition. But what did he care about this, " they argued, if he could get a snug billet! Much more of this incoherent rubbish was both spoken and printed, and possibly ■ it was believed by some simple people. Those who were more discreet looked upon it as a mere canard —a weak invention of the enemy—only to he accounted for on the hypothesis that there are persons so addicted to lying and evil-speaking that they can no more cease to do so than a leopard can wash away, his spots, or a'n Ethiopian make himself white. It is a trade, for which they had great natural abilities that have been most industriously schooled and trained. Whatever may be said respecting the great wealth and prosperity of the two Provinces of Otago and Canterbury, there is no getting away from the fact, that tho policy of the Government has been relatively of more advantage to the Nprth than to the Middle Island. This applies_ specially to the Province of Auckland. The same may be said of the policy that was introduced during the past session. Forests may be planted on tho Canterbury Plains, and in fifty years they may be of value ; but those of tho Northern Island, if properly conserved, will be an enormous source of wealth during these fifty years. If the Polynesian scheme should be carried into effect, Auckland, being the nearest port of call, would reap the greatest advantage. Private companies desiring to erect factories for converting the products of the isles into marketable merchandise would certainly select Auckland. Tho steamers trading into the Pacific would take theirsupplies from Auckland, and be repaired in her graving dock. For these and other considerations tho Premier xvould be perfectly justified in. asking and expecting of tho electors a renewal of the confidence that they reposed in him. And by the time ho returns, invigorated and renewed in health and strength by cessation from the excessive work he has recently had imposed upon him, or lie has imposed upon himself, he will very likely meet with an enthusiastic reception from some of the people in the Northern capital who now look upon him rather coldly. At any rate, should ho return by way of Auckland, not only bis con-

stituents there, but every person interested in the public affairs of the Colony, will be most anxious to hear the account he gives of his mission, and perhaps learn what may bo the principal features of the next session. Neither on the voyage nor ; in London .will the Premier be an idle, man. The work that was postponed from last session to tho next one will receive his closest attention.