SIR JULIUS VOGEL AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXI, Issue 239, 29 October 1885, Page 2

SIR JULIUS VOGEL AT CHRISTCHURCH.

(UNITED VREiS ASSOciATIOH.) ,- CHRISTCHURCrf, Oct. 27;

Sir Julius Yogel addressed his constituents at the Theatre Royal to-night. There was • very large attendance, and the Mayor presided. Sir Julias was warmly reotived, and reviewed the work of last session, claiming that Government had accomplished as much as they had a right to aspect, and that their snccein was magnified by the frank and open method they had pursued with regard to the proposal to amenl the Customs trtriff; While he did n'oi like the woid prot<^> tion he was m favor of live and let live." Persona who were not content with colonial mtnufactures ooglit not to grudge paying for their fastidiousness. The beneficial effect of the. increased duties I was proved by the fact that m 1881 the duties received on wearing apparel, j im, hops, beer, woollens, saddlery,, candles, and furniture was leas notwithstanding the increase m population and the In: creased duties by £i 066 than m Itffß. 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 df union between the Ndrth and South Islands. Though it waS unsafe to brJrrdv^ ittonSy {of Indiscriminate purposes, it was absolutely' necessary to do so for railway extension. He believed m the motto, " God helps those that help themselves," and it he had not done what he expected since his return to the Colony it was because— by the refusal of Parliament to construct the West Coast railway and the virtual suspension of theOtago Central and North Island Trunk— the instruments to give effect to his cxpeoUtionahad baen denied: He claimed that the financial polioy of the Government had resulted m a large saving to tha Culony. By the San Francisco mail contract the Colony would save several thousands yearly. Government intended to introduce, by way of experiment for three months, a system of sixpenny telegrams. Delayed telegrams instead of being sent on_ at night would be sent duridg day, put m private letter boxes, and delivered by letter carrier's. For the benefit of Public Works,eontractors payments under the Publio Works appropriation would be made without imprests and without leferenoe to Wellington, so that the difficulties hitherto experienced by them m getting their money would be less, and their employe? would have a benefit of proportiou payments. The present depression was mainly dne to the fact that for the last 15 years the supply of gold had greatly diminished, and consequently its purchasing power had increased. This was severely felt m 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 ot interest at which it conld get its loans, and also from the greater cheapness of those commodities, such as steel and iron w'ls required for catrjing on public works. The prodnjts, however, Buffered on account of the lon prices obtainable for wool and grain. There were signs that gran would rise again soon. Wool should be sent away rather m a manufactured than m a raw state, and all m the colony should wear, as far as possible, nothing bat 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 m meeting the present depression, which would then pass away as completely as that of 18G9 had done.. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. __________