THE RECENT RESIGNATIONS.

Kumara Times, Issue 868, 12 July 1879, Page 4

THE RECENT RESIGNATIONS.

The Christchurch Press ha 3 two exceedingly bitter articles on the resignations of Mr Stout and Mr Ballance, which we publish to show how far party spite can be carried. Of Mr Stout it speaks as follows :

"If it were possible to be surprised at anything done by the Government or any of its supporters, it would be astonishing that there are to be found apologists for Mr Stout's retirement on the grounds he has given in. As impartial observers will find it hard to discover any particular reason for regret or for rejoicing in Mr Stout's resignation of his portfolio and his seat, there is no occasion to make a piece of work about it. He helped to talk out the late Ministry and talk in the present; also to talk himself into the latter, and, in all probability, if he had not resigned, he would have talked himself and his colleagues out of office. In short, he gave a continual illustration of how exceedingly untuly a member the tongue is. Mr Stout was very industrious, and had he been less obstinate he might have been a good administrator. He could have never led anybody, simply because he had never learned to follow, and never could have learned it. For arrogance in speech, aggressiveness of demeanor, and indifference to the opinions of others, he could not be surpassed, and it may be hoped will never be equalled. His idea of parliamentary life was that if he could not get his own way, no others should have theirs. He was ready in debate, but his debating was not forcible nor comprehensive, and partook of the character of quibbling. He has apparently read a good deal in certain directions, but his reading seems to have resulted for the most part in a slavish admiration of the effusions of particular authors, generally speaking of the most visionary and speculative character. He appears as a rule to be the victim of the last book he has read on sociology and ethics, and he may be briefly described, not as an original thinker, but as a tolerable thinker of other people's thoughts. _ Mr Stout ha 3 been nearly two years in office, and great things were by Borne expected of him. It is not unfair to ask what has he done that is worth doing 1 He has talked to an extent which ia positively frightful. He has introduced a few law reforms, the value of which is by no means generally admitted either in or out of the legal profession. He has largely assisted to import into the House of Representatives a violent, hectoring method of discussion, as destitute of public value as it is of good taste, and has greatly indulged in a habit of attempting to intimidate hostile members by threats of vindictive legislation against their local interests." With regard to Mr Ballance the same Dewspaper sums him up thusly : '* So Mr Ballance has resigned, having been previously ordered out of the room by his chief, and a messenger sent for to aid in his expulsion. Mr Ballance never having been a leading man in any sense of the term, it is unnecessary to devote a leading article to him on the subject of bis disappearance into the waste paperbasket of New Zealand politics. As a politician he was a self-seeking and impudent adventurer. As a political ally he was a traitor, inasmuch as he stands convicted of having been in Major Atkinson's confidence up to the very day when a motion of want of confidence in the Atkinson Government was divided upon, Mr Ballance knowing at the same time that he was pledged to vote for the motion. As a Colonial Treasurer he was a charlatan, not even of the first magnitude. In viewing Mr Ballance's political demise one is reminded of the inquiry of old Siward in " Macbeth" on hearing of the death of his son : '* Had he his hurts before ? " "Aye, on the front." " Why, then, God's soldier be he ! Mad I has many sons as 1 have hairs, 1 would not wish them to a fairer death • And so his knell is knoll'd."

Mr Ballance's exit is of an opposite description, sitioe he was kicked out into the cold by the leader to follow whom he had deserted his acknowledged and trusting chief."