Wanganui Chronicle, AND PATEA AND RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31st, 1876.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIX, Issue 3206, 31 October 1876, Page 2

Wanganui Chronicle, AND PATEA AND RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31st, 1876.

Otee the signature of " Otago " there appears in the ' Soutern Mercury ' a trenchantly-written letter, anent the history arid career of our ex-Premier, the sentiments embodied in which will find a responsive echo in the bosoms of no small section of the population of ~New Zealand. The writer, after touching upon various preliminary features connected with Sir Julius Yogel's earlier history, goes on to reflect very severely upon his treatment of the Province of Otago, especially as regards the abolition question. Otago, the writer particularises as being the ex-Premier' s"political birthplace His censor goes on to say, that if any part of New Zealand was entitled to Sir Julius Vogel's life-long gratitude, that part is the Province of Otago, where his friends had subscribed and paid to his clamorous creditors a composition of 5a in the pound when his affairs were in a very involved state, . the remaining 15s being still due and owing to the scores of people ill able to afford the loss, and who were honestly endeavouring to earn their bread by the sweat of their brow. In Otago also, says this caustic writer, a large monetary establishment was induced to wipe off its books, for a mere song, thousands of pounds owing by this indifEerentininded creditor, who had many other liabilities, in which even 5s in the pound had not been paid ; nor were such likely to be ever liquidated. Iv Otago subscriptions and testimonials had been raised for him, when he was looked upon elsewhere iv the colony as an unscrupulous and unprincipled adventurer. When at home, he is accused of having squandered thousands in buying knighthoods, gambling, and in giving faucy-dress assemblies, in order to attain popularity and gratify his love of extravagant and sensual pleasures. It is presumed that when he reaches England, and dons his court dress, if the knights of (xrcat Britain knew all his career, they would not feel proud of the Bruinma gem addition to their i\inks. It is asserted that he planned his own ulti-

mate assumption of the Agent-G-eneralship long before, and that Dr. Featherston's death came very opportunely, as doubtless it saved the country endless trouble through the machinations of the ex-Premier to attain tlie coveted position, where a liberal salary and rich pickings comprised the emoluments. Perhaps, the writer goes on to say it might be considered the reverse of magnanimous thus crushing Sir Julius Yogel because he was " down ; " but, in the writer's opinion, he never was " up," but was retreating with his sovereigns to his snug billet in England, after a career of deception and selfish manoeuvring. It was gravely to be feared, that eveu in his present position, with his loose ideas of cash and finance, he would eventually drag the colony into fresh liabilities, from which it would be unable to disencumber itself. One advantage gained by the colony would comprise putting an end to buying and selling of members of the Assembly, as hitherto pursued by the Government; and the Haughtons, the Mains the Shepherds, et lioc genus omne should feel flattered that K their services were wanted previous to the. termination of the era o£ corrup^n. "The lette^ thus concludes : — " And although it is said that the departure of Sir Julius Yogel has caused great uneasiness in the minds of several ardent abolitionists, who might have offered their services to a grateful public in the shape of anything from a bumbailiff to a Supreme Court Judge, yet the country would have reason to rejoice if the advent of Major Atkinson to power means the repeal of the Purchase and Sale of Members of Assembly Act, unlimited. I enclose my card, and should any of Sir Julius Vogel's friends wish to have proof of anything I have stated, I shall be glad to furnish the same, and perhaps add something more to enlighten their innocent minds." Few but will admit that this is a true bill ; too true, alas, for the reassuring prospects of the anticipated prosperity of the colony under the regime, of Sir Julius Yogel as Agent-Greneral. Comparisons iv many cases are odious, and the instituting of such between the present and late Agent- Greueral would be positively repulsive. For administrative, ability and political incorruptibility, the two cannot be named in the one breath. Well might Sir Julius exclaim, " the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose." * The position Jtaken up by the ' Herald,' inspired doubtless by the member for Eangitikei, in reference to the official standing of Major Willis, is not subject for congratulatory contemplation. Our Marton contemporary, whose article on the subject appears elsewhere, has put the matter very plainly. But the soft impeachment is repudiated. " The idea ■of ' a vengeful blow being struck under the mask of retrenchment,' will we are quite sure not be entertained by any but those who have sought in every possible way from the beginning to lower the standing of the member for the district ■with Ms constituents." The fact is that so convinced are people of the personal hostility of the 'Herald/ through its editor, to Major Willis, as exemplified by the offensive animus displayed when referring to that gentleman, that they will require to be undeceived by most incontrovertible evidence before they will, believe to the contrary. Of course it will be remembered that Major Willis did not hesitate to express in a public and fearless manner his opinion in reference to Mr Ballance's candidature for the Kangitikei seat ; and on frequent occasions since the utterances of the 'Herald' were ominous of: approaching hostility. tf3ut few thought that the position of M.H.R. would be abused in order to gratify personal bitterness, or wreak revenge upon a political foe. J It is not to be wondered at that such conduct should be severely commented ou, and that both the member for the district and the organ which represents his views should be looked upon with suspicion, as being capable o£ indulgence in spiteful and ignoble retaliation. As truly said lately in the 'N. Z. Times'— "When the Press sinks into the individual, its utterances convey no weight, and it ceases to have any influence ; if the columns of^a journal are prostituted to gratify personal feelings, and become the cloak for venting malice, untruths and hatred, its usefulness ends, and its fate is sealed." The same might te said, though in slightly different phraseology, of the position of representatives of the people.