CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND MR WATERHOUSE.

Evening Star, Issue 3133, 5 March 1873, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND MR WATERHOUSE.

(Bv TELEGRAPH.) Wellington, March 4. The memoranda between the Governor and Mr Waterhouse were only published to-day. The first of the series is a letter from Mr Waterhouse to Mr Vogel, dated February 4. It announces Mr Hall’s resignation, and his own intention to resign, saying, “ 1 may at once state that from the time of joining the present Ministry I have felt myself placed in a false position, and it is my determination to extricate myself from a position abhorrent to my feelings, which drives me to my present decision I have felt throughout that you have regarded yourself as the actual, and me as the nominal Premier, and the strength of your will and advantage arising from your having formed tho Ministry have given you an influence in the Ministry, which is fatal to my exerting the influence attached to my office as Premier. This I could afford to overlook, Imt that I recognise there are between us points of political difference which render it difficult for me to work with you with satisfaction, so long as your influence in the Ministry is paramount. You are anxious for the introduction of fresh measures of policy. I am of opinion that in the present circumstances of the country, the Ministry sh uld confine its attention as much as possible to work of administration. The more I look into matters the more thoroughly am 1 satisfied of the absolute necessity of thorough administrative reform ; but this can only be brought .about by a Ministry mailing this object the end and motive of all its actions. The difficulty 1 experienced in bringing about the obset vance of the mere requirements of the law, as regards the Civil .Service, makes me de-pair of giving effect to my views on those other natters, more especia ly now that Mr Hall has withdrawn, between whom and myself there was, on these points, much similarity of opinion.” After apologising for the hurried nature of the letter, he continues, “While expressing myself thus explicitly, I should be sor y for you to think that there is ou my part any want of respect for your talent, or any failure to appreciate your sincere desire to serve the country. I fully and readily acknowledge both ; but we have been cast in different moulds. We cannot, with at any rate mutual satisfaction, run in harness together.” On the 20th February, Mr Watcih 'Use placed Mr Hall’s resignation in the Governors hands, and tendered Ins own, stating, however, that neither he nor his colleagues wished his resignation to involve that of the Ministry. He offered to continue to act until Mr Vogel returned, and said he had no reason to anticipate Mr Vogel would experience greater difficulty now, than at th" period of originally forming ihe present Ministry, in nominating for his Excellency’s approval a suitable person to the office of Colonial Secretary

On tho 2§th the Gpy.cmor replied that “neither he nor other Ministers perceive qny sufficit qt ground tor the action' taken, and that the resignation of the I’rimeMinister must, in accordance with constitutional usage, ipno /ado dissolve the existing Ministry. It is hoped that Mr Waterhouse’s sense of public duty -will prevail him from persevonug in so grave a strain at a moment so inconvenient to the public interests of the Colony, that is, on the eve of the departure of the Governor,qndof the temporary qssnrpptjon of office as administrator of the Government by the CRief Justice” If, kowever, Mr persisted, the Governor said it appeared to him to be the duty of Ministers to call Parliameut together at the earliest possible period ; but that he could not, by accepting his resignation, be a party to breaking up the Ministry under such circumstances, or until Mr Watei house had reconsidered the matter.

On the Ist March, Mr Waterhouse replied ! in a long memo., in which he said, ,l Mr Waterhouse feels it his duty respectfully to express his regret that his Excellency should make the references to Mr Waterhouse’s colleagues, which he has done. Mr \N aterhouse Avould, with all deference, submit that, so long as he occupies the position of t'remier, it is he and not his Excellency who is (he mouthpiece of the Ministry ; and he feels bound to further observe that the numerous interviews which his Excellency has had with Mr Waterhouse’s colleagues, and the formal meeting which, prior to receipt of Mr Waterhouse’s resignation, his Excellency arranged to have with them, hut to which Mr Waterhouse, a’though Premier, was not invited, have not been in accordance with recent constitutional practice. Mr Waterhouse in his memo, previously referred to, has not called in question his Excellency’s right to regard his resignation as involving that qf |ho Mini-try. He has only infcrentialiy called attention to the exceptional nature of his connection with the Ministry, in the hope that his Excellency would continue to Mr Vogel that confidence which his Excellency must have placed in him, when he originally entrusted to him t’’e task of forming an Administration. Mr Waterhouse cannot recognise that his resignation at the present moment will be attended with the inconvenience to the public interest of the Colony, which his Exccdlcucy predict*. No actual necessity exists for hjs Excellency proceeding to the seat of his new Government via Auckland and Sydney. By adopting that route his Excellency is not likely to reach Melbourne prior to the middle or end of April, while his departure from Wellington to Melbourne direct would give bis Excellency ample time to make all necessary arrangements for overcoming the present Ministerial crisis, and enable him to arrive in Melbourne eaylier than by indirect and longer roqte. Mr Waterhouse feeds it to be his duty to’persist in his proposed course, and to leave his resignation in his Excellency’s hands. At the same time he cannot allow that it is the duty of Ministers to advise the summoning of Parliament, as suggested by his Excellency. His Excellency, in the first instance, eufcilisted the formation of the Ministry to Mr Vogel, because that gentleman possessed a Parliamentary majority. Mr Waterhouse has no reason to believe that Mr Vogel’s parliamentary influence is lets now thanatthedayof prorogation, and undoubtedly it does appear to Mr Waterhouse that Mr Vogel was competent to be entrusted in the first instance with the formation of an entire Ministry. He is fully competent to suggest a person to fill the ollice lately held by Mr Hall, being the only Ministerial portfolio now vacant. Mr Waterhouse regrets that, white bia Excellency refuses tq aqueyt M*!

resignation, he should yet, as Mr Waterhouse learns while writing, be ignoring him in the pov> rnment of the country. His Excellency’s Aide-de-Camp, when delivering his Excell nay's memorandum this morning, by bis Excellency’s instructions, requested that the correspondence should bo regarded as terminated, and be forthwith published in the Xao Zealand Gazette, Mr Waterhouse rejoined that the correspondence not being complete, its publication would be premature, and that he could not sanction it. Mr Waterhouse now learns with regret that his Excellency forthwith sent for one of Mr Waterboire’s colleagues, and by his means sought to obtain the obligation which Mr Waterhouse, as Premier, had declined to sanction. Mr Waterhouse respectfully submits that by such a proceeding his Excellency has practically sanctioned his resignation ”

O i the 2nd, Mr Waterhouse again writes, saying “he has seen it stated, as of authority, in the public press, that his Excellency’s intentions are to finally depart from Wellington to-morrow morning, Mr Waterhouse desires to bring under his Excellency’s notice the grave inconveniences that would arise to the public interest from his Excellency’s abrupt departure at the present moment, as his Excellency is aware the most important office in the Government (that of Colonial Secretary) is actually vacant. VI r Waterhouse respectfully declines to make any nomination thereto. Should, therefore, bis Excellency depart from Wellington before this office be filled up, the whole machinery of the Government will be brought to a standstill. Under these circumstances, Mr Waterhouse, with regret, has arrived at the conclusion that he would not be justified in affording any facilities for his Excellency’s departure, aud has instructed Captain Fairchild not to leave. Wellington without the express .authority of the Premier.” On the Ist, the Governor writes that “he has read with much surprise the remarks relative to the communication between the Governor and the other Ministers now in Wellington, for Mr Watercourse is fully aware that the only object confemplated was most friendly, viz., to dissuade him from a step which the Governor, in common with Mr Waterhouse’s colleagues, regrets extremely, both on public grounds, and also for Mr Waterhouse’s own sake. As for the Governor’s visit to Auckland, it is well known that it is very important that he should be present, if possible, at the Maori meeting, to which he has been invited; but be has always intended to return to Wellington before leaving New Zealand, if (he exigencies of the public service should require it. With respect to the concluding paragraph of the memo, underackuowledgment, the factsof the case arc very simple. Major Pitt informed Mr Waterhouse that the Governor wished to apeak to him on public business. Mr Waterhouse took the unusual step of declining to attend this summons, when the Governor was compelled to request one of the other Ministers to say to Mr Waterhouse what he (tho Governor) bad proposed to say himself. Mr Wateihouse will feel that however desirous the Governor may be to further his wishes, by releasing him from his official duths. this cannot be done until a new Prime Minister has been appointed. In conformity with the advice tendered by Mr Waterhouse, Mr Vogel, on his return to the country, will be requested to undertake that offije,” Mr Wa'eihouse, in a brief memo., reiterated his objection to the Governor’s conduct in asking another Minister to do what lie had refused, and on the 2nd the Governor concluded the correspondence thus:—“ The action taken by Mr Waterhouse this day renders it imperative on the Governor to release him forthwith from his offices of Premier and Member of the Executive Council, by formally accepting bis resignation of both positions.” On the 2’st February Messrs Richardson, and Bathgate addressed a long letter to Mr Waterhouse, urging him not to resign. They said, “As regards the fonmation of the Ministry, wo understand that the whole of the members of tho Cabinet wore individually agreeable to you, and had been .approved of by you, and that although Mr Vogel h?,d been the medium of communication, be bad your entire concurrence in this. No attempt, so as we a, re aware t Rag boon made in any one instance to, force any member upon you qgqffist your will. I bis belief has strengthened us in hitherto working with you in the utmost cordiality and harmony. At the same lime, if it is to Vie held as a legitimate influence that you are dissatisfied with the personnel of the present Ministry, and are of opinion that a change would bo beuficial to t'ie public interest, we are each ready to place our resignations in your hands. Second, as regards tho influence attached to your office being prejudicially affected ; wo are not aware of any occasion on which your views have been thwarted or set aside by the Cabinet. There has been the most cordial concert and mutual exchange of advice and intercourse amongst the different members of tho executive. and in no instance known to us has there been any radical offering of opinion affecting your supremacy in the Cabinet For any discussion upon minor points of administration which led to an expression of opinion, we believe that your views have been always sustained by the raaj >rity present, aud approved accordingly. Ypu state further that there are points of political difference between the Treasurer and your, self which render it difficult for yon tft \vo,k with him with satisfaction, sg as his .influence in the'Mini&tvy iji paramount. You do not say are, except by affirming generally that Mr Vogel ia anxious for the introduction of fresh measures of policy, while you arc of opinion that attention should be confined as much as possible to the work of administration. We may remind you that no question of new policy Las ever yet come before the Cabinet, and that your laudable efforts in the way of Administrative reform have been unanimously approved and vigorously supported by your colleagues. Wo may also observe that, should any unforeseen differences arise on tho subject of the policy to lie brought before Parliament, your colleagues have neither the right nor the intention to oppose your views. Should any important and irreconcilable difference arise, it will be for those who diff r to retire, and it is not a constitutional interpretation of your duty as Premier for you to resign.” 3 hey urge a variety of public and personal reason; against his resignation. Ko aunwar to this letter is publisbcV

On the 2nd March the Governor and members of the Ministry asked Mr Fox to become Premier, and the same Gay he con sented to do so, on the express understaiyling that he should resign as sport the anival of Messrs Voge] ayd Poynoh-ls shall enable the ormtiovang members of the Waterhouse Ministry to meet together, and take upon themselves the responsibility of future action.