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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4173, 5 August 1874, Page 2

The debate on the Forests Bill was brought , to a close last night by the Premier in one of the most brilliant and convincing speeches that have ever fallen from his lips. Wearied with hour after hour of platitudes, repeating again and again errors of conception of which the veriest tyro in politics might be ashamed, Mr. Vogel placed his proposals before the House in so clear and conclusive a inannor as to extort unwilling admiration from his most bitter opponents. As we indicated yesterday, his chief difficulty was found in the obstinate resistanceof the Provincial authorities to giving up a small portion of lands under their charge to ensure the future welfai'e of the Colony. With raro exceptions the Houso admitted the necessity for some measure which would provide for a supply of timber for those who come after us, and was prepared to accept a Bill for the establishment of State Forests, with the proviso made by some that the administration of the waste lands of the Crown should not be taken from the Provinces. Among - the strange misapprehensions uttered in the debate, the strangest of all was that which imputed a desire to proven* any further clearing of timbered lands, and the stoppage of saw-mills on that already under lease or license. Sounding sentences were uttered against putting an end to the trade in timber as affecting the industrial interests of the Colony, but all this sham patriotism'was easily disposed of by the declaration that it was never intended to interfere with existing rights; and as to the delusion that no further extension of settlement was to bo permitted on timbered land, it was pointed out that a vast difference exists between bush propor to bo cleared, and forests necessary to be preserved. A curious inconsistency pervaded the , speeches of some who supported, as well as of those who opposed the Bill. More than one spoaker doclared his approval was secured by its consonance with their own desire to put an end to the Provinces. The whole of those fallacies wore disposed of by the unexpected declaration that to secure the assent of the House to the establishment of State Forests, and to the necessary outlay for 'their initiation, tho proposal to take certain lands in each Province- was withdrawn. Mr. Vogol has acted wisely in thus throwing himself on tho good sense of the Colony, and leaving tho people to judge between him and their pretended friends. It may be that few Provincial Governments will bo wise enough to place portions of Unsaleable and unproductive waste lands under Colonial management to be utilised for the public good, but the

people they profess to represent will take an entirely different view of the question. When public opinion is brought to bear, and it is shown that no larger quantity of land was ever sought to be reserved than is now voluntarily kept as 'forest in Great Britain, though Superintendents and their satellites may object, their constituents, of whom they boast so much, will judge differently. The coming contest between the Colonial Government and its local opponents has begun, and the intentions of the Premier were made known in no uncertain language. Worried by the Wellington Government, though expenditure has been made to an amount well calculated to excite discontent in other parts of the Colony, it cannot be wondered at that the efficient management of public business compels the most forbearing Minister to protest, not only on his own account, but for the protection of every other Government, that the present condition of affairs cannot continue. Discontent with existing institutions pervades the whole of the North Island. Had it not been for the liberal advance agreed to last year for the purchase of a landed estate from the Natives, affairs must ere now have been brought to a crisis. Even as it is, all but universal dissatisfaction prevails in Auckland, andbutasmall part of Wellington feels content to endure the paternal government of Mr. Fitzherbert. Let Mr. Vogel boldly come forward and propose to take over the management of North Island affairs, as he has now the charge of providing funds and executing works, and he will be supported by many who hitherto have not been accustomed to act with him. Some strange infatuation must surely exist in the minds of those who have prevented immediate and complete action being taken with respect to our forests. What charm can be found in the possession of power to sell land and disburse its proceeds, sufficient to induce men, otherwise clear headed, to obstruct its permanent improvement with the certainty of employment continuing which a few years of the present state of affairs must end, it is impossible to understand. The desire of gain cannot fairly be imputed, nor can the pecuniary purity of Provincial administration be impeached. Still the poor little offices blind their occupants to the true welfare of the districts over which they have been called to rule. Whatever action may be taken by the Government next year, the principle for which Mr. Vogel contended has been established. Should wise counsels prevail in the various Provincial Executives, the invitation to place a small part of their lands under Colonial management, for ( the benefit- of posterity, will be agreed to. If not, then it will be. for the people, through their representatives, to say whether they are prepared to sacrifice their own future and that of their children to the personal pride of a handful of officials and to the peculiar ambition of persistent obstructives.