MR WATERHOUSE IN EXPLANATION.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1606, 14 April 1879, Page 3

MR WATERHOUSE IN EXPLANATION.

[Press Special Wire.] Wellington, April 12. The following letter appeared in th« “Evening Post on Friday evening TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST. Sir, —Owing to my absence from town, I have only this morning seen your issue of Monday last, containing an article headed “ Curious conspiracy against the Government —How it was discovered by a wandering telegram.” This article professes to give from the “ Lyttelton Times” particulars of telegrams which have passed between Mr Hall and myself. In reference thereto, I have to observe that there is not one particle of truth in the reported contents of the telegrams, and that the editor of the “ Lyttelton Times ” has either drawn upon his imagination for his facts, or he has been the tool of some one who has told a wilful and deliberate falsehood. In the latter case it is due to his own character for veracity that ho should indicato.the anther. What really took place was as follows : —During the recent Ministerial crisis I telegraphed to Mr Hall that there were serious dissensions in the Cabinet, that a Ministerial crisis seemed impending, and thai there would probable be a reconstruction of the Ministry under Sir George Grey. This telegram was, as I understand from the Manager of Telegraphs, most legibly signed and correctly forwarded from this side. Owing, however, it is believed to electrical phenomena, the signature was not correctly rendered in Christchurch, and the name came out “ Whitehouso.” Mr Hall, who is probably more in the habit of telegraphing with Colonel Whitmore than myself, somewhat rashly rushed to the conclusion that the telegram was from Colonel Whitmore, His reply was guardedly expressed, and headed “Private.” It is scarcely credible, but it is

a fact that though it was evident upon the face of it that, tuere was some mistake in the matter, and though the telegram was headed “ Private,” that the gallant and hon. gentleman did not hesitate to show it to and discuss it with his colleagues. Listeners proverbially hear net good of themselves, anil it is not to be wondered at that the Ministry, when discussing a telegram not intended for iheir perusal, and marked “ Private.” should fall into a mistake regarding the nature of the telegram to which it was a reply. Tf there is much that is amusing, there is likewise miic.li. which to any right minded politician must be painful in these particulars. Colonel Whitmore receives a telegram marked “ private” which at the first glance he recognises is not intended for himself; he, nevertheless, makes use of it, and shows it to his colleagues. Our ideas of what constitutes ” honor” probably differ. To mo such an action seems unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. Secondly, the editor of an influential pacer gets hold of a telegram which ho believes or stated had been sent by Mr Hall, which he admits had only become known by having gone a tray in a Government department sworn to secrecy, which contains the word ‘confidential,” and yet which he actually publishes to the world. It is difficult for a man more thoroughly to degrade himself than the editor of the “ Lyttelton Times” has done in this matter. There has been throughout this affair such an absence of honorable feeling, such a bivzen-facedncss of conduct, as would fill one with apprehension for the future of New' Zealand if one could believe that such qualities were common amongst her public men. I am, &c. G. M. Waterhouse. 11th April, 1879.