Address by Sir Julius Vogel.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5024, 18 February 1885, Page 2

Address by Sir Julius Vogel.

[Pee Pbess Association.]

AtrcilAND, Last night. Sir Julius Vogel addressed a meeting of the citizem of Auckland at the Theatre Royal .tonight. The building was crowded to excess, and a large number of ladies were present in the dress circle, among them being Lady Yogel. There were a number of the members of both Houses of Assembly, foreign consuls, City Councillors, Harbour Board representatives, and other local bodies ; also trade societies and leading citizens on the platform. ' Mayor Waddell presided.

Sir Julius Vogel, upon being wheeled up to the front of the platform was received with loud cheers. He stated he would not (beyond referring to a few subjects) enter into a history of the last session leaving that for a subsequent address' to his constituents. Though Sir George Grey had attacked him frequently during the seesion, be did not feel inclined to retaliate, for when Sir George became Premier he showed cignal consideration to him' (Sir Julius) as Agent General —more consideration than he had received from some on whom he had better claims. Though not agreeing with many of the opinions expressed by Sir George Grey, it was idle to deny he had more individual influence in the House than any other member. The present Government was a coalition one representing the utilitarian and theoretical ele* ments of parliament. The Government were at present applying themselves to such questions as devising means for completing the trunk system of railways, and feeding them by district railways, roads and bridges. They were not ashamed to own they attached greater importance to the promotion of local industries ; for he himself would rather be the father of a new industry, than of a philosophical political measure. As regards native industries, the moment the question was mentioned, they were met by the query," Are you a Freetrader or a Protectionist P" For himself he answered—he would leave his colleagues to answer for themselves—that he was neither one nor the other. The object of Government should be to blend population, bo that work should be forthcoming for all who were' physically capable of it. The speaker referred to the vast importance of forest conservation, and also the necessity of developing the fisheries of New Zealand. What was required was a market, and he was strongly of opinion that it would be well worth while if Government were to offer a continuous bonus for a large quantity of fiah preserved and tinned until such a market was established. He referred also to wool and frozen meat, and then to sub-tropical productions. But manufactures must supplement our productions. The Exhibitions which it was proposed periodically to hold had two objects—the development of industries,, and the development of local talent. He eulogised Mr Stout's efforts to promote technical education. Well paid labor and a minimum of unemployed were indications of a country's prosperity. The speaker then referred to the question of Federation, and paid a high compliment to the Hon. Mr Service and the colony of Victoria in relation to the question of New Guinea, though he could not agree with all that stateman's proposals. He remarked that there was a deep sympathy really existing between the colonies. New South Wales' patriotic offer of a battery to proceed to the Soudan had caused a throb of pride and pleasure throughout the colonies. He was glad to say, Government had warmly congratulated the Government of New South Wales upon their splendid offer. As regards annexation, he explained that the desire to send the Hinemoa to Samoa was not for the purpose of annexation, but with a view of trying to arrange some means by which the natives, Germans, and English colonists, might exist in peaceful relations with each other. He bitterly complained of the refusal to allow the colony to send, on so peaceful a mission, a vessel of its own', and he pointed out that the action of the New Zealand Govern* tnent had forced the hands of the English Government to the extent of inducing them to send a man-of war to Samoa; and it was to be presumed that they would stop the establishment of German government as proposed by the German Consul, which would, in effect, make outlaws of the subjects of other nations. He then referred to the Customs Treaty lately arranged between Victoria and Tasmania, and said records would show he was; in a large measure, the means of procuring an Act which enabled the various colonies to enter into those treaties. He next spoke of the local government question, which he looked upon as almost a purely financial question. He was strongly impressed with the fact that the only local government legislation which would be satisfactory was that approved of by those concerned. He had come to the conclusion to invite all the Mayors and Chairmen of County Councils to meet him at Wellington to indicate to him their views, or at any rate so much of the question as came within his special coguizance, at an early date. Eegarding the mail question, he pointed out the immense import* anee of direct steamers, and also the importance of maintaining a Califprnian service. He was trying to obtain proposals to submit to Parliament, that after the : end of the present California;! contract a new service should be substituted, to be performed by two fast steamers, and in which the terminus should be Auckland. It was also proposed to call for,) tenders for a two years' island service, which, he believed, could be obtained for a sum insignificant compared with the results that would follow it. In regard to the native question, he endorsed the Native Minister's action in the Waikato. He justified the selection of the central route for the North Island Main Trunk Railway, and hoped the Rotorua Bail way would be acquired 'by Government as a district railway, and finished with "prompts tude. As regards the further construction of railways, he thought that Parliament should at next session distinctly define lines in both Islands, to which the signification of main trunk lines should be attached. He held that the colony was bound to carry them out as the means were obtained, and other railways should be treated as district railways, aud the localities should be responsible for half the

yearly interest on the cost of their construction. , lie then referred to the East and West Coast Middle Island and Nelson lines. He believed it to be the paramount duty of the Government to aid private enterprise in the construction of these lines, and failing being able to conHtruct them by^private enterprire to see that the lines were constructed at the cost of the colony. In conclusion, he hoped he might not be considered unmindful of the , destiny of New Zealand and its colonists.

At the contusion of the speech Sir Julius was greeted with prolonged cheering. Mr John .Reid, the Chairmau of tho Chamber of Commerce, proposed, and MrLaßoche seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to Sir Julius Vogel for hisliuterestiug, and able address. The motion was carried unanimously.

Sir J. Vogel returned thanks for their courteous hearing,, and proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding. Three cheers were given for Sir G. Grey and Sir J. Vogel, and the meeting broke up.

[FBOM OVU OWN COBEESPONDENT.] Auckland, This day. The attendance at Sir Julius Vogel's meeting was the largest ever known at a pqjit ical meeting in the Theatre. Promi nent politicians of all shades were present, and although at the early part of the meeting there was a little noise, it. soon ceased when all had settled into their seats*. The pavements outside the Theatre were crowded, and the passages and all available, standing room was occupied within the building. Notwithstanding some interruptions, Sir J. Vogel spoke on, and the more orderly of the audience, deeirous of hearing Mb words, insisted ' upon silence. The speaker cleverly referred to Sir G. Grey in com plimentary terms, which, while they evoked cheers for the absent statesman, succeeded in putting the audience into a good humor. The matter of the latter part of his address was much more interesting and better delivered than the first part. The impression is universal that on the whole the address was a clever one, and calculated to improve the Governjnent party. In fact, one young politician, representing an Auckland out district, who "sat on the rail" last session, it is said, had friends at work to secure for him a reasonable excuse to side with the Government. Sir J. Vogel touched upon the position of Auckland in 1869, last session, Sir G. Grey, the present Government's intentions, his opinion that the future Government of colony would be by the masses, free trade and protection, forests, fishing, and other industries, federation, Samoa Island trade and Auckland's indifference, local Government, mail services, and native and railway matters.

Colonel Fraser was present, and today accompanies a deputation to Sir J. Vogel upon Thames matters. * •