SIR JULIUS VOGEL'S ADDRESS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7863, 19 May 1886, Page 4 (Supplement)

SIR JULIUS VOGEL'S ADDRESS.

I [FEOM OTJB OWN COBKESPOHIpBNT.j I i 3 ; < WELLINGTON, April 24, Sir Julius Vogel’s meeting last night was' a most successful one. The Theatre Eoyal ‘ , was crowded, and a largo number of ladies graced the circle. Sir Julius Appeared to be in excellent health and spirits, but he was . still suffering from the cold which pre- . vented him speaking ou Tuesday; last. Tkis' . must have made it a great strain'to address • so large an assemblage but he spoke for an I hour and throe quarters without showing t signs of fatigue. Sir Julius never was an i orator in the ordinary acceptation of the word, but bis address last night ;waa oneof 1 bis best efforts. Notwithstanding the i physical disabilities under which he i laboured, and the fact that he was ■ obliged to speak while sitting down, —like 1 i Antony he “ spoke right on ” and told hia . hearers “ that which they themselves did i know,” and a good deal more tod. Not only i did he get a patient hearing, he got, besides, , a most cordial reception, and created ; an impression which showed that, notwithstanding the many and strenuous, efforts that have of late been made to damage his political reputation, he, if possible, held a higher' place in public estimation in the city than ever. For some time previous to. the meeting, it was rumoured that efforts were being made to bring together all the opponents of the Treasurer, with; a view l to loudly manifesting disapproval ofihis policy, and the New Zealand Times, with characteristic impertinence and disregard for facts, had given it out that Sir Julius Vogel had expressed an earnest desire that there should be no disturbance, on account of his state of health. The Treasurer, of course,, never even hinted at such a thing. lie had been invited to address the citizens, and, courteous and considerate himself,: he never for a moment imagined that he would at the hands of the citizens anything but courteous and considerate treatment, even from those who were most violently opposed to his political views. ’ Not only did he not receive an interruption, but from first to last his utterances met with very general approval, add it was apparent that if the “opposing forces” mustered strong, they must have been entirely vanquished by the arguments of , the speaker. Major Atkinson's recent utterances were analysed and disposed of in a very brief space of time, and, to quote the expression of an hon member (I forget now whom) last session, were “relegated to the limbo of exploded fallacies." In fact, the gallant Major had a very lively quarter of an hour of it, or would 1 have > if he had been present. The scabbing the Treasurer gave to Mu Ormond in regard to his opposition to the Native policy was greatly appreciated, for Mr Ormond. has very few sympathisers here, and people have a very strong notion that in him self holds a higher place than the public weal. . I am afraid, that if anyone present at the ~ meeting had ever felt .grateful to Captain. Eussell for saving that half million of money last session, their gratitude was somewhat weakened when Sir Julius Vogel showed that .£375.000 would, but for that reduction, have been available during the' I year for necessary public works, and thus have prevented tbe present deplorable destitution among tho labouring classes.' Major Atkinson's “thrift” panacea was exploded by a few apt and very amusing illustrations; which I have no doubt have been duly reported by the Press Association. A very graceful tribute was paid :to the late Sir Donald M‘Lean, in connection with his administration of Native affairs, and the applause which it evoked showed that the deceased gentleman, whom Sir, j Julius described as one of the “ ablest and ' noblest of Native Ministers,” proved that the people of Wellington do not readily forget those who unselfishly labour on behalf of the land of their adoption. The Treasurer’s views on “ Protection " were well received, as were his remarks on the ■ East and West Coast Eailway, which were applauded. His speech, as i/ viole, must be considered a great success- ,9