The Opposition to Sir Julius Vogel.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1887, Page 2

The Opposition to Sir Julius Vogel.

[By Tkligbaph.J {Our Own Correspondents.) Christchurch, This Day. The nomination for Christchurch North was in the nature of a surprise to a great many people, who never dreamed that Mr. Boberts would go the poll in opposition to Sir Juliuß Vogel. The general assumption was that in the first instance Boberts put himself forward as a means of advertising, and that he was egged on by jokers to_ address a public meeting so that they might have the fun of egging him thereat. The Mr. Boberts in question was, I believe, formerly a brioklayer's labourer, and he subsequently blossomed forth into the profession — albeit an humble one — of tonsorial artist, and from the report of his speech he would seem to be an exceedingly illiterate man, without the slightest pretension to political ability. I understand he is a member of the Salvation Army, and enthusiastic about total abstinence. In his nomination speech Mr. Boberts said he stood before them as a candidate for Christchurch North— he stood before them as a working man, was going in in the interests of working men— he stood before them as a Christian man, and was going in to do his duty as a Christian man on behalf of his fellow-citizens— he stood before them as a temperance man, and was going in to do his duty for temperanoe generally. He was opposed to Sir J. Vogel, and to a great deal Sir Juliua had done. Therefore, he came forward knowing that it was to his interest and to the interest of his pocket to stand before them. (Loud laughter.) It was not the JE2OO a year. Ho had a good business, and was independent of any £200 a year. He had property at his back, and if he had not got money, he had moneyed men who would back him. When he said that it meant his pocket, he referred to the tariff proposals. He called upon every Christian and temperance man to come forward at the ballot and do their duty, and support a Christian man and a temperanoe man. I shall venture tho opinion that, judged from Mr. Boberts' standpoint, the number of Christians in Christchurch North is not very great.