THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1579.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5634, 6 December 1879, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1579.

Wuo is master—tho Government or Sir Julius Vogel ] Aro the Government afraid of Ihe Agent-General or does ho carry too many guns for tliem ! The prosent position of affairs with regard to the representative of the colony in England is nothing short of ignominious. The colony thinks one thing ; Sir Julius "Vngel another; and ho treats the former with a sublimity of indifference that amounts to impudence. He joined the Now Zealand Land Company without consulting tho Government of tho day ; ho oilers himself as a candidate for the House of Commons in a precisely similar way. He was allowed to clwose between tho Agent-Generalship and his directorship of the land company, and ho has done nothing of the kind. He pursues his object of obtaining a seat in the House of Commons regardless of all objections that have °ioen raised to it. Much has always been thought of Sir Julius "Vogel's capacity for out-generalling his opponents. In that respect ho would be 110 unfair match for tho hoathen Chinee, but at tho present timo he is eclipsing himself. Tho manner in which he is fooling tho Government, and meantime carrying out his own objects is really admirable, and, beyond measure, simple. It is merely to avoid an issue and gain time, and then either givo way or bow himself out of oflice, laughing at the colony for the facility with which he used it. He receives a communication from Sir George Grey dissenting from his connection with the land co'npany, and ho is forthwith surprised,and wants to "know, you know " what it all means. A man of a different atimp would bo indignant or passionate' l ; or sneering; but Sir Julius Vogeldr.cs not permit himself such weaknesses—at all events, not till 110 is out of the wood. Ho sacrifices his feeling 3 to his objects, and the man who can do that consistently ia always diflicult to deal with. He never loses a chance and never gives one. Mr. Hall is of opinion that the Agent-Gcncr; 1 should not have a seat in the House of Commons, and Sir Julius "Vogel knows it ; and knew long ago that objection was taken to it, but he pursues tho oven tenor of his way, and by way of helping his candidature, suggests that Falmouth shall be the port of departure for emigrants for Now Zealand. There is 110 abashing the man.

But the Agent-General could not have trifled with the colony in the way lie has ; could not have dared to make his ap-

poinfment the stepping stone for his interests and his ambition, if he had not friends in the colony and in England who have personal objects to serve by giving him the aid of their influence. There are wheels within wheels, and the Agent-General knows which way to turn them. Good tools are no better than bad in the hands of a clumsy workman, but Sir Julius is a cunning craftsman; he has been through all the gradations of the trade. There is nothing which he does not know how to turn to account. We know not how it is ; but everyone seems as chary of handling the Agent-General as if he was dynamite, and might explode in the hand. Members in either branch of the Legislature refer to him aa if afraid of some occult influence, which might make them pay the penalty of their temerity. Now what does it all mean ? Everybody cannot be tied up with the Agent-General, nor everybody afraid of him or his friends—and of these some must be behind the scenes, and could let the colony into the secret of what is going on. Anything that i 3 said in Parliament is privileged, and so it is possible with impunity to throw a little light on the subject. Will some hon. members have the honesty aud the courage? It would 110 doubt be a very j interesting expose, probably not a little amusing, though possibly not altogether edifying. Of course we do not desire any violation of private confidence ; even an Agent-General so great an adept at working the oracle as Sir Julius, must be treated just the same as if the prominent features of his character wore a blunt honesty and an amiable simplicity. If nothing can be done in this way at present, possibly at some future time Sir Julius may be induced to lift the veil, and in the "Revelations of an AgentGeneral " give the benefit of his experience to the untutored mind. It might be made more piquant if the initial letter of the names of sundry persona were given. It would set everyone agog, and sensationalism is the order of the day. The Agent-General ought to be grateful to us. There would bo a large sale, and his reputation for dexterity would stand higher than ever. OF course we do not hint that there could be revelations injurious to the reputation of anyone, but somo pretty cleverness, some io-ir >le furc-c, some new point in the game—nothing naughty, of I course.

But, meantime, may wo ask the Government whether they intend to compel the Agent-Gener.il forthwith to confine himself to the duties of his position, or whether ho is to bo allowed to do as he likes, nil remonstrances to the contrary notwithstanding ? With Government meaning, or at all events, saying, one thing and the Agent-General meaning and doing something quite different, the colony looks very mean, and much as if Sir Julius carried it about in his pocket. What can bo thought of a community which is so weak or undecided as to allow the reeipieut of its pay to trifle with it and make it a laughing stock ? The distance which separates Agents-General from those to whom they are responsible appears to render them independent and saucy. Mr. Forster, the Agent-General of New South Wales, has taken so high a flight that the Premier, after watching 1113 gyrations for a time, has found it necessary to relieve him of his duties. We do not desire that tho services of Sir Julius Vogel should be lost to New Zealand if he will subordinate his aspirations to tho necessities of the position, cease to be a director of a land company, and abandon tho glamour of a scat in the House of Commons. But wo do hope that the Government will have the thing settled one way or the other, and at once ; and end the foolery which has been so long going on and is derogatory to the otlice, the Government, and the country.