THE AGENT-GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5427, 19 August 1878, Page 3

THE AGENT-GENERAL.

(From the Dunedin Morning Herald, Aug. 14.) Making every allowance for the spirit which must necessarily actuate party rule in the General Assembly, we believe we echo a general sentiment when we say that Sir Julius Vogel’ recent services to the colony have scarcely received the acknowledgment to which they were fairly entitled. In season and out of season Sir Julius Vogel has always been found advocating tho claims and interests of New Zealand, Like the old Crusaders, he has gone invariably to the front with an only motto —expressive of a fondest wish, and the highest hope' of a busy life. With Sir Julius his continuous watchword has been “ New Zealand" Some have supposed that the present administration is opposed personally to the Agent-General, and would be glad, were it safe to do so, to issue the ukase for liis recall. There is litttle doubt were Sir Julius to reappear upon the field of his many former triumphs, ho would at once be surrounded by a powerful and compact party, which before long would again be iu possession of the reins of power. The present Government is not likely to bring about such a state of things. But, considering the precarious tenure of the Agent-General’s term of office, and the possibility of what may be done during the approaching recess, the present seems a fitting opportunity for reminding our Otago readers of the fair claims of Sir Julius Vogel upon every New Zealand colonist. If he has been bringing himself into enviable public notice in Great Britain—as iu his recent defence of the Dunedin loan—no one will deny that upon every occasion of his utterances and appearances ho has, like Atlas of old, carried New Zealand on his shoulders. This colony has been his invariable and perpetual theme of praise. The highly successful negotiation of our recent loan, whatever sundry malcontents may say to the contrary, was in a great measure due to Sir Julius'Vogel’s able advocacy and carefully compiled statistics demonstrative of the coudition of New Zealand. The services so rendered demand especial recognition. A private testimonial, such as was recently suggested, would imply that tho colony and the Legislature were indifferent to the AgentGeneral’s efforts and merits. Wc feel sure that this is far from being the case. Eminent services demand equally eminent recognition. We hope, therefore, that some one or other of onr Otago representatives will see to it, that a man whose history and success are peculiarly identified with Otago will not be allowed to wither under the shadow of doubting appreciation. A renewed tenure of office ought to be secured to one so deserving as Sir Julius Vogel ; and we should not be - sorry to hear of a substantial vote being, passed in aid of one who has not hesitated to spend himself in tho interests of the public service of the colony. The recently elected member for Rodya his had many personal opportunities of gauging the value of the Agent-General’s services, and we trust that he, at all events, will not miss a fitting chance of bringing the whole question under the notice of the House of Representatives.