BANQUET TO MR VOGEL AT AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1162, 7 March 1874, Page 12

BANQUET TO MR VOGEL AT AUCKLAND.

[by telegraph.]

Auckland, February 27th.

A banquet" was given to Mr Vogel last night in the Choral Society's Hall, at which about 150 persons were present, including Dr Pol] en and Mr Richardson. The chair was filled by the Superintendent of the Province (Mr Williamson), the Mayor of Auckland officiating as croupier. The affair was in everyway a succesg, all tbe arrangements being carried out in the most admirable manner, and the catering of a first-class description. In proposing the toast of the evening (Mr Vogel's health) the Superintendent said that he had himself held a seat in the House when Mr Vogel came there, a stranger — known only by his writings as conductor of the best journal in the Colony. "From his action in that capacity his abilities were acknowledged. For a time, the unhappy prejudice existing against him in the North Island retarded his career of usefulness, but there were not a few — and amongst them he (the speaker) recoguised some of the gentlemen now present — who at once saw that Mr Vogel was destined to take a prominent position in the House. That the assumption was correct was now proved by their finding in him (Mr A 7 ogel) the initiator of that great policy which they all united in believing would do great good for New Zealand. He recollected when the first Parliament of the Colony was held in Auckland, one of our greatest Colonial statesmen regretted the fewness of our able statesmen, and believed Mr Vogel to be one of them. He considered him to be a man capable of designing, even if not of being able to carry out. The groat architect must have others to assist him in carrying cut his designs. But that would not detract from the skill of those designs. One who has done so much to carry out the great design of the Creator, by distributing the population of fearfully crowded parts of the earth over wide lands which required population, is deserving not only of the present esteem, but of a monument to bequeath his memory to the children of those benefited.

Mr Vogel, iv responding, said that when he first came to Auckland he had a very great difficulty to contend against._ There wa3 a very prominent feeling existing that one who had only been in the country a few years had no right to take a leading part in the management of the affairs of the Colony. He had now been eleven years in Parlinmen f , which was a grcl apprenticeship. He deprecated the remark? of the Superintendent that the colonists had ceased to lake an interest in the affairs of Britain. It would rob public life of its charm to him if anything were done to weaken the ties between this colony and the mother country. Though come when it may, it will be recognised that science has brought even this distant colony nearer the Government of Kngliud than England was a few days ago ; aud that the time will come when the Colonies will be regarded as countries of tho British Empire— an Empire which he hoped was indestructible. Some who believed in this were working iv Englaud for the right to invest funds in the Colonies. That was not permitted yet, although allowed in tho case of India. When that was allowed, it would mean not only advancement of property in the Colonies, but it would bring the Colonies much closer in their relations than at present. These changes might not take place in this generation, 0 but he thought it would yet come and it was even possible there might arise a oroat empire, formed not only by the closer union of the Colonies with England, but by the union of all English-speaking countries. A large portion of his speech was occupied with reference to local matters, as the representative for the City East. From his want of local knowledge, ho was unable to address his constituents on local subjects so particularly as he would wish, but it nevertheless did not prevent him from understanding their wants. He was satisfied that local ditferenccs on the Dock and Water Supply questions had been the means of leaving the city without either. He contended that Auckland had not been badly treated by the Colonial Government ; neither was there in his opinion, a " down" on it in other parts of the Colony. The threats which were mado use of at times, that if the demands of Auckland were not conceded, they would soo no lands granted to the South, under the compact of ISSG, were all nonsense. Tho compact had not worked well for .Auckland, but allowance had been made for the upset with regard to the removal of tho seat of Government. He was one of those who opposed it strongly in the ousot, and he still believed it to bo an ill-advised measure, and one through which great evil had resulted. It had beeu the direct cause of tho Nativo war in the Wanjjanui District, but he was also of opinion that the seat of Government was now so firmly established at Wellington, that it could nevor be transferred back to Auckland. If tho question were considered da novo, he thought it would bo taken to Christchurch, but it would be to the interests of the Colony if Wellington were made a Federal city. At presontthe existonceof the Provincial Government there proved that it was a great source of mischief. Except from tho difficulties arising out of this double Government, there was no likelihood of a change in the capital of the Colony. He roferred at length to tho change in the aspoct of Nativo affairs. The time was not far distant when tho Nativo difficulty would bo completely and for ever settled. The Govonnncnt wero opposed to the Native lands being purchased by

speculators and locked up ; they should be acquired by Government to advance settlement. The Government was now prepared to hand over 150,000 acres to the Province, purchased out of a bum voted last Session for acquiring estate in the North. lsland. Tbe Eevenue from Confiscated Lands will also be devoted towards making reads through them The Premier then spoke eulogistically of _ Mr Russell's ability in negotiating the Californian Service. When a separate Naval station is established in this Colony, or an Admiral s station ia Australia, Auckland will probably be made the head-quarters of the fleet. He did not think that Auckland would prove a grain growing Province, it required some great industry to stand in the same relation to what wool did to the South, which had proved a source of attraction to population. Supported by other industries, he believed it was the mission of Auckland, owing to its geographical position, to bring the whole Colony benefits by means of the South Sea Islands trade. The market afforded by those fertile Wando would abound with the manufactures of the Colony, when New Zealand becomes a large manufacturing Colony, which its coal and iron resources fit it for. The session approaching, although it would probably be short, would be of great importance. The Government propose to extend the electoral franchise, by giving manhood suffrage, coupled •with the residential qualification, and to abolish the electoral privileges at present enjoyed by the miners. It would probably not be certain whether the House would be called upon to deal cither with tlie Licensing ouestion, or the matter of Forests. It would not be the desire of the Government to bring in large numbers of Bills. They were rather disposed to say to the country, '-Rest and be thankful." The Government would not introduce more Bills than was necessary. The ITou. the Premier spoke for over two hours, and was very well received.