SIR JULIUS VOGEL’S CANDIDATURE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7246, 21 May 1884, Page 3 (Supplement)

SIR JULIUS VOGEL’S CANDIDATURE.

GISBOENE, Mat 12. A meeting of the principal residents was held this morning. The feeling was that all candidates should give way to Sir Julius Vogel, and it was decided to call a public meeting to-night, to ascertain what the public think. Messrs Locke and Gannon were present, and expressed their willingness to stand out if Mr Eees agrees. Mr Eees left for Auckland yesterday, and is being telegraphed to. A great public meeting is being held tonight to consider the question of Sir Julius Vogel’s candidature. Sir Julius sends a long and most interesting address on the condition of the Colony, which is to be read to-night. In it he goes minutely into the present depression and its causes. He asserts that the main cause is the uncertainty and disquietude caused to property-owners during the past few years by the various taxes and proposals for taxes, so that confidence in the value of property has much decreased. He explained this at considerable length, and, as a remedy, would abolish the Property tax, believing that some other taxation is desirable which shall not have such disastrous indirect effects. Among other subjects, he asserts his belief that, in the matter of education, an equally good article could be got at much less cost. In telegraphed replies to enquiries re Native matters. Sir Julius says :“I have not closely followed the Native land policy alterations. Before leaving, I favoured a Bill by which the Government were to act as agents for the sale of Native lands, charging a commission. How far this is practicable now, I can’t say. I do not think that, in good faith, the Government can resume the bid pre-emptive right. I am strongly of opinion that the Natives should be treated honourably and justly. At the same time it may fairly be questioned whether they should not in some shape contribute to the cost of railways which, passing through their land, make them of great value. The question is involved in considerable difficulty. lam profoundly anxious to seo the North Island settled, as it is capable of supporting an immense population. The whole Colony is interested in promoting such settlement.” May 13. A meeting of 700 persons (the Mayor presiding) decided almost unanimously in favour of Sir Julius Vogel. There were about ten dissenting., Mr Gannon, one of the candidates, took the lead in advocating Sir Julius Vogel’s cause. He proposed a resolution that the rest should stand aside, which was carried with “ Three cheers for Vogel.” Sir George Whitmore, who was among the speakers, pointed out how Sir Julius had rendered a service in London in getting a loan for the district. Messrs Locke and Gannon are willing _to retire, and all now depends on the action of Mr Eees, from whom no answer has yet been received. AUCKLAND, May 12. Mr W. L. Eees arrived here to-day. It is stated he will contest the East Coast against all comers, ° May 13. Mr Eees, in m interview with the Star reporter, stated that he would oppose' Sir Julius Vogel for the East Const seat at all hazards. He will be an uncompromising opponent of the Government. THAMES, Mat 13. There is some talk here of inviting Sir J. Vogel to reserve himself for the Thames seat at the general election. The suggestion comes from some of the electors who supported his candidature for this seat years ago, when ho ran second to Sir G. Grey. Should the request he made to Sir J. Vogel and he accept, probably a similar request would he made to Sir G. Grey. DUNEDIN, May 13. Sir Julius Vogel, who has been confined to his room, since he arrived in Dunedin, with gout, feels himself now much better, and expects to be able' to get about in the streets in a day or two.