Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price 1d. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1885. Sir Julius Vogel’s Speech.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1677, 23 February 1885, Page 2

Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly, Price Id. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1885. Sir Julius Vogel’s Speech.

Sib Juuns Vogel has been making a speech to the citizens of Auckland at the Theatre Royal, which appears to have pleased them mightily. The good folks of Auckland a few years back hissed Sir Julius off a public platform there, and literally hooted him out of the colony. A change has now come over the spirit of their dream, and they bow down before Vogel and humbly ask him to shed the light of his countenance upon them. It is a pity that any section of the colonists of New Zealand should be such sycophants and time servers as the Auckland people have shown themselves to be. A good deal of bir Julius Vogel’s speech consisted of nonsense, wrapped up in well chosen language and neatly turned sentences. But sometimes the speaker touched the bottom, and dealt with practical subjects. Referring to the question of local productions and industries, the speaker expressed the strongest opinion as to the immense importance of developing the fisheries of Now Zealand. He had information from many sources, which left in his mind no doubt but that fish existed in greater abundance about the Now Zealand coast than in almost any part of the world. He had information from gentlemen well acquainted with the Labrador fisheries to the effect that not only were fish more prolific about New Zealand, but that fishing operations could be carried on, on an average, for two days to every one practicable on the stormy coast of Labrador. What was required was to make a market; and be was strongly of opinion that it would be well worth the while of the Government to offer a continuous bonus for a large quanity of fish,preserved and tinned until such market was established. He pointed out the various industries that would follow in the wake ot the fishing settlements all round the coasts of the two islands, such as shipbuilding, making of nets and other things. We entirely agree with those views. At present an enormous amount of canned fish is imported into the colony from the United States and elsewhere, while the waters round our shoves teem with abundance of the most delicious fish. Were the New Zea land fisheries properly fresh fish in abundance would be carried by rail to every township in the colony, while the canning of fish for Home consumption and export would become an important and remunerative industry. Referring to the production of wheat and other cereals, Sir Julius Vogel said that whether or not the present low prices continued, it wag clear that New Zealand, with its large *»« rage production per acre, was in & “ ... *-* survive in the production position ... W ith those of cereals as com* being conntri. s where the avem. ** smaller the profits wore much less. Hcr. Terr d ul-o t> woo! >md frozen meat, and then to sub pro ductions, which, he said, had justly been termed “ golden crops ” On the question of local Government Sir Julius expressed his opinion “ that it was a purely financial one. He was not inclined to think that the alterations required were of a very radical nature. What was wanted was to give the various bodies a power of combination at pleasure, and tojgiye them also larger and more elastic revenues with which to carry out their local objects." These statements amount to very little. The people knew all that without Sir Julius Vogel taking the trouble to tell them about it. Our system of local government is well enough if there were onlv sufficient money to work it properly. Then, as to local bodies having the power of combination at pleasure, that, in a certain way, already exists. It is at present quite practicable to mergy a number of small WBftUe*

targe toiiu:v. liv fth:it means oif Julius will cuutmc ■' i. the local bodies larger and more elastic revenues than they at present possess," ( we cannot in the least guess. We can hardly hope that additional fund will be forthcoming from the Colonial Treasury chest, because the existing demands already made upon it from all sources will leave it empty indeed. Probably, Sir Julias means to create “ a larger and more elastic revenue for local purposes,” by according to the people increased powers ot self taxation. If that be so, the ratepayers may exclaim to Sir Julius, “ Thank you for nothing.” However, Sir Julius is going to get together a big convention of all the Mayors and Chairmen of County Councils to consider this vexed question of local Government, and something may come of that. We can only briefly refer to some of the other topics dealt with in this speech. The Government intend to buy the land required to be used in constructing the new railway lines passing through native territory in the North Island. They will also try to purchase blocks of land adja cent to the railway lines, and open ’ them up for settlement. As regards the further construction of railways, Sir Julius thought Parliament should, next session, distinctly define the lines in both islands to which the signification of “ main trunk lines ” should be attached. These should be carried out from time to time as the colony had

the means at its disposal. He held that the colony was bound to carry these out, but the other railways should be treated as district railways, and the localities 'should be responsible for the half yearly interest on the cost of their construction. Such are the chief points of Sir Julius Vogel’s speech. To our view, it contains very little really important matter Nevertheless, it was a neatly put together address, and served the purpose of pleasing the Auckland folks who listened to it. It does not take much to please some people.