MR BRYCE'S RESIGNATION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2147, 12 January 1881, Page 3

MR BRYCE'S RESIGNATION.

[By TbleObaph.;) [FItOJI <mt OWX COBBBSPONBENT OF THB "PBHJB."] WELLINGTON, January 11. Mr Bryce's resignation has created conlid eWible surpriso on the part of the public, no l , having been in the least expected, although in well informed oiroles it has long boon known that be differed from his colleagues in desiring more vigorous action relative to the West Coast Native difficulty, while the other Ministers held themselves bonnet by the understanding with Parliament last; session to follow the recommendations of the Commissioners, and not to take any new departure involving a risk of war, unless fresh ciroumstances arose to render such a course unavoidable. I believe that a 'collision between Mr Bryce and his colleagues on thin score was only narrowly averted two months ago, and that matters have been steadily culminating till the ortsis was reached yesterday, whon I understand tbat Mr Bryce inshted that an advance should be made on Parihaka by the 17th-of this month, when the regular meeting would be hold in due course. Te Whiti should be arrested under the West Coast Settlement Act, which he held applied to him. He maintained that the timti had come to take prompt steps for tha destruction of Te Whiti's irifluenoe by his pergonal arrest, and by the oonstabulary occupying Parihaka, which he believed would finally settle and end the Native difficulty there. It is understood that he made it bis ultimatum that either this should be agreed to by 13. e Cabinet, or else he would resign his offices. Xhe individual views of the different Mir is tars have not transpired, but I hear tbat that they were unanimous in disapproving of sucti a. step under present circumstances, deeming that the Government were bound to carry out the recommendations of the West Coant Commissioners as sanctioned by Parliament before taking any new departure, unless a fresh set of circumstances shall arise to warrant prompt aggressive action. From what I can learn it was the unanimous opinion of the rest of the Cabinet that no circumntances had arisen which would justify Ministers in the eyes of Parliament and the country in taking so serious a step as a hostile advance on Parihaka, and the arrest of Te ' Whiti, it being very questionable, moreover, whether he had not been too astute to bring himself within the scope of even so ' elastio an enactment as the West Coast Settlement Act. They considered that the difficulty was in a fair way to a pacific and permanent settlement, and that it would be a; pity to disturb the present favorable course of events by any precipitate action, especially as Sir W. Fox has just been intrusted with new powtirs in the direction of a peaceful arrangement; of that dispute. On this point the difference between Mr Bryce and his colleagues provud irreconcilable, and he tendered his resignation, at the same time expressing his utmost goodwill and friendly feeling towards them, this being the sole point of diisension. He, however, had declared to Parliament that unlets lie could pursue the course he deemed best adapted to settle the Native difficulty he should :not retain his portfolio, and as he was over-ruled by his colleagues in what he deeired an essential point of his policy, be would no longer hold office. Ministers,! hear, deeply regretted his resignation, and did their utmost to dissuade him, but in vain. Mr Kolleston takes temporary charge of the Native and Defence Departments. It will be some little time before the vaoanoy is filled up, and no definite views are yet formed an to Mr Bryce's probable successor. Sir W. Pox and Mr Ormond are both mentioned outside, but I have the strongest reasons for doubting the probability of either taking office.