WAKEFIELD AND SIR, J. VOGEL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4808, 19 August 1876, Page 2

WAKEFIELD AND SIR, J. VOGEL.

TO THE EDITOR OV THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sin, —On reading the report of Mr. Wakefield's speech, in which he makes charges against members of the Government, including Sir Julius Vogel, of " untruth, dishonesty, impurity, and corruption," it brought to my mind the recollection of a circumstance in Victoria which happened many years ago, when a Mr. Julius Vogel wrote for the provincial papers, and for some sentences of views in advance of tho times was severely taken to task byseveral papers, one, the Daylesford, Mercury, being particularly virulent, using the usual well-hackneyed terms of " political charlatan," " dishonest adventurer," &c, &c. And for writing that article I had the honor of breaking a lance with the editor in the leading columns of a contemporary. The public policy then enunciated by Mr. Vogel as the right one for Victoria to pursue, was almost the same as Sir Julius Vogel has so far successfully carried out in New Zealand ; and well would it have been for Victoria had his advice been taken. And it may be news to such gentlemen as Mr. Wakefield, and those members of the Press who never tire of vilifying an opponent, because, forsooth, he has more brains than many " learned asses," to know that by many far-seeing and veteran politicians in Victoria the " Vogel policy" is avowed to be the true one for a young colony, and the only one that could have raised New Zealand to its present position amongst the leading colonias of Great Britain. Eor several years past I have heard it asserted that the policy of Sir Julius Vogel would ultimately bring New Zealand to ruin, but the ruin seems to be a long time coming, not so quickly as the croakers would seora to wish. It is quite apparent that many of the old identities of New Zealand are horribly afraid at the pace they are being driven at in the political vehicle of the country by the jehu who holds the reins; but they may take heart of grace, and believe (Mr. Wakefield notwithstanding), that their state coach will not be bogged, and that the coachman has no more right to have the vile charges of " untruth, dishonesty, and impurity " hurled at him now than he had years ago in Victoria, when he wrote of things the then magnates did not understand. Watched for years by hostile and friendly critics abroad, the policy of Sir Julius Vogel is allowed to be a good and wise one for the people whose destinies he guides ; and had he been so corrupt and vile as his detractors would have us believe, we who have known him as public man for nearly twenty years must have heard of it long ere this, and doubtless it would have been published to his injury. My testimony is disinterested ; personally I know not Sir Julius Vogel, even by sight. Only as a public man I, with others, have watched his career and policy for years ; and having done so, just give my experience as against the empty vaporiugs and smooth speeches of windy orators, and the scribblings of interested journalists. To the working men of Wellington, an old working man advises them to treat Mr. Wakefield and his Blanders with that contemptuous silence deserved by him. I am, &c, An Old Viotokian. August 17.