SIR JULIUS VOGEL IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1315, 14 March 1885, Page 3

SIR JULIUS VOGEL IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Sir Julias Vogel was entertained at a banquet in Christchurch on Thursday nioht in the Gaiety Theatre, about 300 gentlemen being present. The gallery was crowded with ladies. Lady Vogel being among the number. The Mayor, Mr Hulbert, occupied the chair. In speaking to the toast of “ The Ministry, I ", Sir Julius Vogel made a Jong and interesting speech. After explaining his reasons for accepting the Christchurch seat in preference to many others proffered—because be felt the warm support manifested would be of great assistance to him—he said there was one subject whvh so occupied the minds of men, and indeed of the fair sex also, throughout the colonies, that he would not omit refenoß to it. Every person uinst he desirous of knowing the iatentions of the Government as to rendering aid to the Mother Country in regard to the Soudan campaign, and also as to placing this colony in a fairly efficient condition of defence. Were the people of New Zealand to run the chance of loss, not only of that resulting from the visit of a privateer, hut of that severe shuck that would he felt by all, if a powerful English colony like this were lying helpless at the mercy of an enemy ! Material losses would sink into insignificance before such humiliation as that. The circumstances of New Zealand end Ne w South Wales were so different that what was expedient in one case might not be so in the other, Firstly, nothing could give to the offer of troops from New Zealand or any other colony that freshness and spontaneity which distinguished that of New South Wales, which had stood forth as the representative of the Colonial Empire ready to aid England if necessary. Would it not be mistaken patriotism to offer to send men to defend other parts of the Empire, when we had not does sufficient to defend ourselves 1 The Government did not think anything should be done without congirting Farliaipent. If it were decided to send men to the goudanj no doubt a very fine body might be sent, la defending this colony wt» were defending the interest of tfee whole Empire, for opr disasters or —would have qn effect thrpiighout succeed *■*- *«nked ppoq these that Empire. He ' • colonies as nurseries for the future detent of the Empire, and felt that we should be doing the best thing for the glory of the British Crown by raising up men capable of bo'h extending the prosperity of the colonies and of defending the honor of the Eii ish in these seas. The Government had determined to a definite scheme by which, within a reasonable time, they would put into an efficient condition of defence the four principal harbors of New Zealand, viz., Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin. It was not, however, enough to say they intended making these proposals to Parliament, The present was a stirring time, when th.ire was more or less emergency. No time, therefore, must be lost in tnounring the guns non in the colony. He (Sir Julius) could not help feeling that while he would not in the smallest degree derogate from the patriotic action of New South Wales, the Soudan war, apart from the necessity of avenging Gordon, was not one which would excite enthusiasm throughout the Empire. It might, however, be well for Parliament to consider whether this colony could not contribute, net men whom they could not spare, but,

! perhaps—money, or produce, for the aid of the troops fighting in the desert. Refer) ing to the East and West Const Rahway, he said lie was an ardent believer in it. The more he learned of it the more convinced was he of the justice of his opinion that the line should be made by private enterprise if possible, and if not, by Government. Two of his colleagues, Messrs Stout, and Lainach, had recently visited the West Coast, and had come to believe in that railway as much as he did himself. They felt it would be almost a sin not to develops the resources of the West Coast. He believed large deposits of gold were still existing in New Zealand, and thought that a great part of the piesent depression in the world Resulted from the fact that the present output of the precious metal was not a quarter of the d iprecintion by wear and tear. The making of the Wsgt Coast railway meant bringing a vast trade to Ohristehmch, indeed to botli coasts of the island. The products of both sides would beexchanged. The timber trade of the \Veal Coast alone was capable of vast expansion, and would expand vastly when the harbors of the West Coast were made accessible to la'ge ships. Tlie probabilities of this railway being canied out were fairly good. He • had telegraphed to the Agent-General asking what the delegates recently sent Home were doing, and he had received the following reply:— 11 Delegates working discreetly and safely at the tentative steps necessary at present. Please inform Canterbury and NM«on.” He considered this satisfactory. He would like to sav thot he believed Canterbury depened too much on w°ol and wheat, and he that her range of production should be extended.