The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5424, 15 August 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 1878.

As tho groat lines of railway approach to completion, and as connection between detached works is effected, tho value of the revolution in our colonial system effected by tho Public Works and Immigration policy initiated in 1870 becomes more tangible and plain. It is gratifying now to find that, tho touchstone of experience having boon applied to the sanguine predictions of tho past—with tho result of showing that they wore sound as well as far-seeing,—tho name of tho man most intimately connected with tho development of tho Public Works policy is again frequently in men’s mouths, and becoming familiar as a household word. On al}

sides we hear of Sir Julius Vogel. In England, New Zealand finds in him her champion, ready to defend her honor and her credit against the detractors of both, who unhappily can quote tho public statements of our Premier and his friends as evidence in support of their calumnies of the colony and of the people. There also we find him as astatesman, measuring swords, in no unequal conflict, with the leading men of the time, —not on personal grievances, not on paltry official squabbles, but upon broad questions of national policy, such as the consolidation of the Empire and the binding together in a closer union with the mother country tho scattered offspring of tho groat nation. His is not the policy of tho “lone hand” which would detach New Zealand from tho common brotherhood of the Australasian Colonies in order to govern by dividing ; he seeks, with courage and with noble aim, to make her a unit of a grand Imperial confederation, and a factor in the growing greatness of the English people. We are glad to see that in Dunedin, whore Sir Julius Vogel commenced his colonial career, and even amongst those who are the known adherents of tho present Government, the sense of justice to one who has deserved well of tho colony is stronger than party considerations ; and that rhe opening of the railway lino from Christchurch to Dunedin, which will take place in a few days, is proposed to be made the occasion for a public recognition of tho benefits derived by the colony from the policy of Public Works and Immigration so courageously launched eight years ago, and which has done so much to make New Zealand, with her handful of people, second, comparatively, to no other colony in rapid progress and sound material prosperity. A correspondent, whose letter will bo found elsewhere, suggests that upon the opening of the railway line to Wairarapa, the people of Wellington should follow the example of the people of tho South, and we very heartily approve this suggestion. Sir Julius Vogel needs no spur on the road of duty, but it will be a consolation to him to know, whilst enduring the petty official afflictions which meaner men have the opportunity and enjoy the delight of imposing upon him, that the bulk of the people recognise his unselfish devotion to their interests, and the great services which he has conferred upon the colony. This will be for tho people but the payment of a just debt.