IB J. VOGKBL'S APPOINTMENT.

Press, Volume XXXII, Issue 4433, 15 October 1879, Page 3

IB J. VOGKBL'S APPOINTMENT.

[By T-_-eo__-p_i.]

< A letter from Sir Julius Vogel relative to his position as Agent-General, dated April 18th, states that he has observed certain statements in the House of Bepresentatives whioh imply that some improper understanding had existed between him and the late Government on the subject of his holding the office of Agent-General, or exchanging it for some other appointment. He therefore feels called upon to state the exact terms of the position in which he stood to the late Government in respect to his appointment as Agent-General When the news of Dr. Featherstone't death reached him he offered the Agent-Generalship to Mr Stafford, who declined it on the ground principally that he did not intend visiting England until after the expiration of at least a year. Subsequently the appointment was offered to him (Sir J. Vogel) by the Government, and there was no secret when he should resign the oflice of Agent-General, though no binding arrangement was made, for reasons which had now no place in his mind. He had supposed it would not suit b?— to continue for longer than eighteen months, but there was an opinion in the Cabinet that the office might be abolished after twelve months, and the offer of the appointment te him was strictly limited to that period. After he had held the appointment some little time, he intimated to the Government that it would suit him to hold the position permanently. Sir J. Vogel then goes on to say that about the same time he asked permission to act on the board of a public company, following the precedent set by the late Agent-General, to whom, when he asked permission, it was granted. " To this, says Sir J. Vogel, I received no definite reply, and as I subsequently recalled my intention of joining the company, there was no need of one. On the Bth of August, 1877,1 received a telegram from Major Atkinson which, though marked confidential, I considered official. It appears that Major Atkinson did not bo intend it, and it may be a moot point if I am entitled to take my own views of its character; bnt at all events I am justified in Baying of it that which has been publicly stated, viz., that it was an invitation to mc to state whether I would prefer continuing Agent-General or to have the agency for inscription of stock, with a commission. No reference was made to Mr Stafford or to anyone else. The object of the telegram seemed to be to ascertain my wishes. There is no reason why I should not give you my reply. It was as follows :■—" Atkinson, New ZealandTake Agency if include new loans and conversion of old loans. My commission not less than an eighth, and immediate consent to act as director. Otherwise continue AgentGeneral, but hope allow mc to be director. See letter 27th June. ImDOrtant immediate consent. Beplyif change. Hope you announce as promotion. Like represent colony Paris Exhibition." I received no reply to this telegram, and my position as Agent-General has never been defined, so that position is that my appointment is permanent under the Governor's —arrant, tbe Government not having determined at the end of the | yeas to alter the constitution of the office. From this recital of facts it will be seen that on being asked I expressed my preference for the inscription agency on certain conditions. There was no understanding with mc beyond what I have stated, and I am at a loss to see that any objection could be taken to my appointment to a position which my knowledge of the business to be dealt with rendered mc, I venture to say, capable of filling satisfactorily. Not holding office in the Cabin3t_ there could be nothing improper in my communicating with the Government on the subject of my appointment. During the two years I have held my present office, I have entirely abstained from any interference in New Zealand politics. It has appeared to mc that this abstinence was a duty inseparable from the position I held as Agent-General After such a period of inaction, the occasion seems to mc to be suitable to explicitly declare that when I resigned the premiership, I felt I had not sufficient health and strength to discharge its onerous duties, whilst I was impressed with the conviction that I could occupy the position of Agent-General with advantage to New Zealand. I was not willing to bind myself to

hold the appointment beyond a period of eighteen months, but I felt that, even if I ceased to be Agent-General, I could be of service to the colony." In conclusion, Sir J. Vogel asks tbat " his memorandum be laid before Parliament."