MINISTERIAL CRISIS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2506, 19 April 1882, Page 3

MINISTERIAL CRISIS.

[fbok the "press.”] WELLINGTON, April 18,

I notice that an authoritive reiteration of the statement relative to the Ministerial cri-is. furnished to the Press Association yesterday was similarly supplied last night. I fear this will necessarily involve further complications, and strained relations in high quarters. Imiy state the following facts, which are on undiapntable evidence:—ln the first place, when Major Atkinson returned to Wellington from the South, on the 13th nit., his return was considerably hastened by urgent telegraphic communication which ho had received while in Dunedin from Mr Hall and Dr. Grace respect, ing the critical state of the health of the former gentleman, which rendered it essential that he should at once be relieved of the cares of the State. When Major Atkinson arrived in Wellington he found, on seeing Mr Hall and Dr. Grace, that matters were even worse than they had reported them, and that their assertion that Mr Hall could not without the most imminent danger continue in office eyen until the Session were not at all exaggerated. So serious bad the case become that it was deemed advisable to loio no time in seeing the other Ministers (who were up North), and in making immediate arrangements for the resignation of the Government (ns to the manner, date, &c.), and provisionally for the subsequent conduct of government in view of party interests. On the 26th nit. Maj ir Atkinson accordingly left for Auckland, where he met Mr Whitakrr Mr Bryce, and Mr Rolleston, and the situation was carefully considered. There were, I believe, some trivial differences of opinion as to very minor points of detail; but while I mention this, in order to be strictly accurate in all points, I repeat distinctly that they were of the most trifling character, and related merely to some small matters of detail, which arose after Mr Hall’s determination to re ign had been fully before the Ministers, and agreed to as inevitable. On the 31st nit. Mr Hall’s illness became so alarmingly worse as to confine him to the house, and on the Ist inst the absent Ministers recognised the hopelessness of making any arrangement by which Mr Hall could remain the nominal head of the Government, bat without doing any work, and therefore came to the conclusion that it was advisable that the Government should resign without delay. There had been, as I have said, some varied opinions amongst Ministers as to the beat mode of dealing with this unfortunate contingency j that is to say, whether it would be better to resign a little earlier or later, but ultimately (on Ist inat.) a joint recommendation was, I believe, sent to the Premier that he should send in the resignation of the Government immediately. The other Ministers ha >, I understand, made provisional arrangements that should Mr Whitaker be sent for as recommended they would assist him to the utmost of their powerin forming anew Cabinet. Mr B all's retirement was in any case a severe blow to the interests of the party, involving, as it did, a change at last moment. However, as every effort to avert it had proved vain, the resignation which had been practically determined upon a fortnight previously, was placed in the Governor’s hands. The sequel is known. I have every reason to believe this is a substantially accurate account of the course of events, and I reiterate what I have asserted before, on tolerably good authority, namely, that Mr Hall’s illness was the sole cause of the break up of his Government. Secondly—That it was the onuae, and not iLe effect, of his colleagues’ resignation. Thirdly— That it was absolutely and finally decided upon before Major Atkinson left Wellington for Auckland on the 26th March, and even before he left Dunedin for Wellington a fortnight earlier. Fourth—That there was no dissension in the Cabinet on the question of policy, the only difference relating purely to Mr Hall’s pending resignation, which it was desired, if possible, to prevent or delay in the interests of the party, but which was in the end deliberately agreed to by all his colleagues, and was only sent in on their joint recommendations. These are the true facts of the case, the garbled versions so authoritatively published notwithstanding. Thera is general gratification here at Sir George Grey’s dismissal.