THE HON. MR. VOGEL AT AUCKLAND.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1155, 3 March 1874, Page 4

THE HON. MR. VOGEL AT AUCKLAND.

February 27. The Premier was entertained at a banquet last evening, in the Choral Hall, over 125 persons were present, including Hon Dr Pollen, Hon Major Kichardson, his Honor the Superintendent, and the Mayor. The Superintendent proposed Mr Vogel's health in eulogistical terms. Mr Vogel in replying said, that when he first came to Auckland he had very great difficulty to contend with. There was a strong feeling that one who had only been in the country a few years had no right to take a leading part m the management of affairs of the colony. He had now been eleven years in Parliament, which might fairly be considered a good apprenticeship. He deprecated the remarket theouperintendent, that colonies ha 1 ceased to take an interest in affairs of Great Britain. It would rob public life of its charms to him, if anything were done to weaken the ties between tho colony and mother country. Science has brought this countrynearer to the Government of England than Scotland Avas a few years ago. There was. no doubt that a time would come when the colonies might be regarded as the centre ot the British empire, which he hoped would then be indestructible. Some who believed this were working in England for the right to invest trust funds in the colonics, but that was not permitted yet, although allowed in the case of India. When that was allowed it would mean not only the enhancement of value of property in the colonies, but it would bring them into much closer relationship with the empire than they eujoy-ed at present. That might not come to pass in this generation, but he thought that in the course of time such result would be brought about, and it was possible there might arise a great empire, formed not only by closer union of the colonies with England, but by union of all English speaking countries. [A large portion of Mr Vogel's speech was devoted to local matters.] He contended that Auckland had assurance that there was no " down " upon it in other partsof the colony. Those threats sometimes used that if the demands of Auckland were not conceded she would see that no lands were granted to the southern provinces under tho compact of 185G were nonsense. No doubt the compact had not worked well for Auckland, but some allowance had been made for that, and the compact could not now be upset. "With regard to the removal of the seat of government from Auckland, he was one of those who opposed it strongly in the outset, and he still believed that it was au ill-advised measure, and one productive of considerable evil, but he did not think now the seat of Government could ever be brought back to Auckland, for he believed it was firmly established at "Wellington. If the question were ever considered dc novo he thought the seat of government would bo taken to Christchurch. Still he was of opinion that it would be to the interest of the colony if Wellington were made a federal city, as at present the existence of the Provincial Government there was a great source of mischief. Except for the difficulties arising out of this double Government there was no likelihood of any change being made in the capital of the colony. He referred at considerable length to the salutary change which had taken place in Native Affairs, and said the time was not far distant when any native difficulty need bo apprehended. The question, he said, would soon be completely and for ever settled. The Government were opposed to native lands being purchased by speculators, and locked-up land should be acquired solely by the Government iu order to promote the advance of settlement. Tho Government were now prepared to hand over 150.000 acres to tho province to be purchased out of the vote of last session fur acquiring an estate for the North Island. The revenue derived from the confiscated lands should be devoted towards making roadn through those lands. Mr Vogel spoke eulogistical! y of Mr Russell in negotiating tho new Service. When a separate naval station would be established in the colony, or an admiral's station in Australia Aucklaud would probably be made the head-quarters of the licet. From what he knew of the province of Auckland he did not think it would prove a wheat growing province, and was inclined to think it required some great industry to stand to it in the same relation which wheat growing did in the South, which had proved the principal source of attraction of population, and had supported other industries. Ho believed it was tho mission of Auckland, owing to its geographical position, to enable the whole of tho colony to partake of tho benefits to bo derived from trade with the South Sea Islands. The market afforded by these fertile islands would stimulate the manufactories of the colony, and theft New Zca'and would become

in the futuro a largo manufacturing colony which its coal ami iron and other resources, so admirably fitted it for. Tlio approaching session which would probably be short, would have to deal with Electoral franchise. The Government would propose manhood suffrage coupled with a resideneo qualification and adoption of existing miners franchise thereto, also it was probable though not certain that the house would be called upon to deal comprehensively with iho licensing question as well as Conservation of Forests it would not be desired by the Government to bring in a large number of bills. They were rather disposed to say to the country, '• Rest and bo thankful," and would certainly not introduce more bills than were necessary or tho country required. The speech occupied over two hours, and was verv well received.