SIR JULIUS VOGEL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1705, 1 March 1888, Page 2

SIR JULIUS VOGEL.

On Tuesday afternoon last, in the present of about fifty gentlemen, the Mayor of Chriatchurch, on behalf of a number of friends and supporters, presented Sir Julius Vogel with the following address: "To Hon. Sir J. Vogel, K.C.M.G. " D«ar Sir, —Having understood that it is your intention shortly to proceed to England, and in consequence you will be absent during the greater part of the approaching session, we have asked you to meet us for the purpose of conveying to you our gratitude and esteem for the continued and untiring efforts you have made in the late Parliament as the member for Chriatchurch North, and to express our continued confidence in yon as our representative, and at the same time to obtain from you an expression of your views, and your intentions in relation to your seat in Parliament. After the political toils of the session just closed, and from the unwearied exertions you have exercised in the cause of the people of this colony, we are deeply sensible of the necessity of a change such as a trip to the Old Country will give you, and while we wish you a prosperous voyage, sincerely hope that your health may be improved, and that you may return to your parliamentary dutiss with fresh life and vigor. The fight you have so gloriously made for Canterbury has been a successful battle, and although yoir Ministry was defeated the good work promulgated by them has already borne fruit. Through your special efforts the Midland Kail way, a work of the most vital importance to our future welfare, has been secured to us. The Wespert and Greymonth Harbors, the arrangement of th» Sinking Fund, saving a quarter of a million of taxation yearly, the direct postal serrlce contract, and the saving of £7OOO in the San Francisco, the postal rates and parcels post, and your Government's action in saving the colony from federation wiih Australia, are all measures we cannot too highly estimate, whilst the programme shadowed forth during the last election bids fair to be the platform of the next Parliament. Your persistent energy in endeavoring to foster local industries is adother proof of your labors, and when our manufactories and industrial pursuits have increased tenfolJ under wise legislation in the interests of our fellow colonists and workmen, and our farmers have been nblo to find an open market in their midst at remunerative prices from the profitable employment of the thousands of youths growing up around us, then will the voice of the people be raised in thankfulness, and your name be remembered with gratitude and affection, as being the benefactor of the inhabitants of this happy land. In conclusion, we agaia wish you lion voyage, and sincerely trust that you may be spared to enjoy many years of health and happiness." (Applause). Sir Julius Vogel replied at considerable length, and in doing bo said he one time thought of calling a public meeting of his constituents, and addressing them, but on reflection he came to the conclusion that it wonld be premature, coming as it would so soon after the close of the session. Besides this, he also considered tha* it would not be advisable at this period to create any political excitement or cause political strife. The Government whs engaged in the somewhat distasteful task of carrying into effect a scheme of retrenchment. Under these circumstances ho would not like to s»y that he had put any diflbultieo in its way, and therefore be decided not to call a public meeting of constituents. He took pleusure iu recording \Ai connection with his late chief, Sir Robert Stout, a man of broad and liberal views, and who he believed was destined to malf e a large mark in the history of the colony. He claimed for the late Government and himself an intense desire in every possible way to stimulate and foster our local industries. Whilst they failed twice in introducing a tariff which would have given the largest possible scope for the industries of the colony to prosper, flourish, and extend, be still ventured to express the opinion—though it was an unthankful thing to enact the role of a prophet—that although they had twice failed they would yet succeed, and that the tariff which will be brought down next session will ba one which will encourage the industries of the colony. He had made arrangements for a pair during the session, and therefore he did not consider it necessary to resign. In conclusion ho said he hoped to be back once more in six months, and he hoj.ed that then he should be able to congratulate them on a very great improvement having taken place iu the commercial affairs of the colony. Sir Julius was frequently applauded, and when he had concluded a number of toasts were honored and the proceedings terminated.