SIR JULIUS VOGEL AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7305, 29 October 1885, Page 3

SIR JULIUS YOGEL AT CHRISTCHURCH.

[bt tklegbaph.] Chhistchtjech, Wednesday. Sir Julius Vogal addressed hia constituents at the Theatre B»yal to-night. There was a very large attendance. The Mayor presided. Sir Julius wus warmly received. He reviewed the work of the last session, claiming that the Government had accomplished perhaps as much as they had a right to expect, and that their success was magnified by the frank and open method they had pursued with regard to the proposal to amend the Oußtoms tariff. While hn did not like the word " Protection," he was in favor of " live and let live." Persons who were not content with colonial manufactures ought not to grumble at paying for their fastidiousness. The beneficial effect of increased duties was proved by the fact that in 1884 the duties received on wearing apparel, jam, hops, beer, woollbdb, saddlery, candles, and furnitnre were less notwithstanding the increase in the population and theincreased duties, than in 1878. He believed that the West Coast railway was so desirable that the colony should make it. It would do good to the whole colony and be a bond of union between the North and South Islands. Though it was unsafe to borrow money for indiscriminate purposes, it was absolutely necessary to. do so for railway extension. He believed in the motto, "God helps those that help themselves," and if he had not done what he expected Bince his return to the colony it was because, by the refusal of Parliament to commence the West Coagt railway and the virtual suspension of the Otago Central and North Island trunk lines, the instruments to give effect to his expectation had been denied. He claimed that the financial policy of the Government had resulted in a large saving to the colony. By the San Francisco mail contract the colony would save several thousands yearly. The Government intended to introduce, by way of experiment for three months, a system of sixpenny telegrainß, Delayed telegrams, instead of being sent on at night, would be sent during the day, put in the private letter boxes, and delivered by the letter carriera. For the benefit of public works contractors payments under the Public Works Appropriation Act would be made without imprests and without reference to Wellington, so that the difficulties hitherto experienced by contractors in getting their money would be leas, and their employees would have the benefit of proportionate payments. The present depression was mainly due to the fact that for the last fifteen years the supply of gold had greatly diminished, and conseqently its purchasing power had increased. This was severely felt In New Zealand, where so many people had to work for the benefit of absentee capitalists. The colony benefited from it, though, on account of the lower rate of interest on which it could (jet its loans, and also from the greater cheapness of those commodities — such as steel and iron rails — required for carrying on public works. The products of the colony, however, suffered on account of the low prices obtained for wool and grain. There were signs that grain would rise again soon. vVool should be sent away rather in a manufactured than in a raw state, and all in the colony should wear as far as possible nothing but locally-, made goods. If New Zealand was to be prosperous it must be a manufacturing as well as an agricultural colony. He concluded by urging all to be firm and energetic in meeting the present depression, which would then pass away as completely as that of 1869 had done. Sir Julius Yogel was frequently applauded during his speech, and at its olose the applause was long and loud.Some questions were asked, but were not of great importance. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously, and three cheers given for Sir Julius Yogel.