MR. VOGEL AND MR. O'RORKE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 71, 5 September 1874, Page 7

MR. VOGEL AND MR. O'RORKE.

AirCKliAtfD. The most unpopular man in the Province of Auckland at this moment is Mr Vogel. On the other hand, the most popular of our political characters is Mr O'Rorkp. Whether the intense unpopularity -of the Premier be warranted or not under the circumstances may admit of doubt. The grent measure he proposes for "disestablishing" the Provinces of the North Island, is one upon which a good deal may be urged, plausibly, either for or against. But no one can doubt the purity of Mr O'Rorke' a motives in disconnecting himself from the Vogel Ministry. Like an honest' man, he has sacrificed his personal interests to a sense of public duty. He has plainly lost confidence in the Vogel Ministry — or at least totally dissents from the wisdom and justice of the course they are bent on pursuing towards Auckland ; and he resigns his office, its honors, and emoluments accordingly. This is no more than might have been expected from a gentlemen of Mr. O'Rorke's high character ; and we may be well assured that in the end he will fiud that honesty is the best policy. The country will not forget him. He is yet young; and a long and honorable public career is unquestionably before him, if God spares him. What we want is not so much public men of showy and brilliant parts, daring and speculative men of. genius, like Vogel, but clear-headed and honest men like Mr O'Rorko. Heaven-born statesmen of daring minds generally land their country in cruel difficulties at last. Me Vogel may be a public benefactor, but he is paving the way for heavy burdens to be borne one day by us and our posterity — for the benefit of the rich — to the oppression of the industrious orders of society. The Irish may be proud of a man like Mr O'Rorke. We have clever Irishmen in this Colony, n?ore than one connected with the public service. But some of them are men who stick to office under all circumstances, no matter what principles be in the ascendant. Mr O'Rorke is of a different sort. He scorns To fawn or seek for power By doctrhies fashioned to the varying hour.

He is an Irishman of the true breed. We have had several indignation meetings to protest against Mr- Vogel's great measure. The general feeling at all the meetings appear to bo this : Abolish the Provinces of the North Island. They have served their day, and are no longer useful, but obstructive. But treat the Southern Provinces in the same way ; and make their lands colonial, instead of provincial, property. It will come to this complexion at last. It is the only just way. Some time ago, when conversing about public affairs with on© of our most eminent non-political citizens, who had recently been over to Melbourne— he said, the impression there was that, Mr Parkes and Mr Vogel were by far the cleverest public men on this side of the equator, but the people had no faith in them. Perhaps they may be too clever. There are men who are too clever, and women too, for the matter of that. A man who does not combine integrity and prudence with his ability, generally runs a short but brilliant career, like the meteor in the heavens. So it may prove with Vogel. The people in a Colony like this, with so limited, and generally speaking, so poor and dependent an electorate, cannot well protect themselves against such clever schemers. We have got " Home Rule " too sl on in New Zealand, — before we are fit for it ; while Ireland has been too long denied it ; but she is now iv a fair way to get that boon, in spite of her many and powerful enemies. The " Irish persuasion " in the House of Commons is no longer to be sneezed at, as Mr Disraeli has just found out to hi 3 disgust. The same " persuasion " iv this Colony could mako their power felt too, if they would show a united front when any gross wrong is about to be afflicted on the people. The Iri?h party should recognise no distinction between North and South, but exert their power to insure justice to all, and especially to the middle or industrial class of the Colony. By one speaker, a clever lawyer, at two of our indignation meetings, the Press was very freely taken in hand. Their venality was openly denounced. But such sweeping charges are not fair. No doubt the Government is always anxious to have the Press with it; and in some cases many even give a consideration for the support of certain clever members of the Fourth Estate. But, speaking'generally, the Press will " follow the multitude," whether for good or evil, since it lives on popularity. If it have it not, it dies. I speak of the Protestant Press. The Catholic Preas stands on a higher eminence. Its principles are the principles of the Church, Fiat justitia. It 'will defend the right, come what may. The Catholic party is the party of justice, as well as of '," progress," all over the world. The poor and defenceless, in an especial manner, are the clients of the Catholic Press — be their creed what it may. When the principles of humanity or natural justice are in question, the Catholic Press recognises no distinction of religious creeds, or political party. "You did well to say a word in defence of the poor men who were cajoled to come out to Dunedin by Dr. Featherstqn, and whose sufferings your big Protestant; brothers I appeared to make little of.