The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1894. SEDDON v. STOUT.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 14, 17 August 1894, Page 2

The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1894. SEDDON v. STOUT.

As there is such a wordy windy wa* progressing between Mr Seddon and Sir R. Stout anent the wishes of the late Mr Ballance as to who should succeed him in the leadership of the Literal" party, a circumstance which occurred at Wanganui on the night when news arrived that Sir Robert Stout was defeated by Mr Allen, may be of interest. Mr Ballance was in his apartment in the Rutland Hotel, surrounded by members of bis election committee, discussing the varying phases of the political situation, as returns were coming in showing that the Liberal party were losing ground all alpng-the line. When the telegram arrived announcing that his then political chief, was defeated, he was completely stunned, and seemed hardly-able to realise the position. During the conversation which ensued on the matter one of his committee asked him to what he attributed Sir Robert's defeat? Mr Ballance replied that he feared it was owing to Sir Robert accepting knighthood after being such a red hot advocate of democracy and uncompromising opponent of shoddy titles, even going so far as-to wish to make it illegal to accept one. He said he feared that Sir Robert would ne.ver again regain his hold over the people, as, although he fully believed Sir Robert's statement that it was only out of deference to his wife's wishes that he accepted the distinction, the democratic element would not accept such an excuse as the apparent inconsistency was too great, We can quite understand that Mr Ballance should be anxious to have such an undeniably clever man as Sir Robert in the House to advise and help the Liberal party, but we do not know of any penanca performed by the worthy knight to cause a change is the opinion expressed previously by Mr Ballance;. Sir Robert is very anxious for tbj country to thiuk that he is making great personal sacrifices in serving them ae a member, but bis past record

.shows that'he is an office seeker,pure and" simple. In 1884, rather than remain out of power, he formed the famous coalition with Vogel, which owed its strength and lease of power to the support of the Canterbury members who wanted the Midland railway . job perpetrated. Then hi 1887, when his party was defeated and an opening could have been fouud for him, he found that his private affairs called for all his attention, and leftßallance,. Seddon, McKenzie and Co. to fight the democratic battle. In 1890 it was not very certain that the Atkinson party would be ousted, and he then did not come . forward though pressed by his party to do so, apparently not relishing' the cold shade of the Opposition benches. Mr Geo.. Hutchison came to the rescue of the Liberal party with his famous charges against the Government, which acted like a charge of dynamite on the Atkinson party, scattering it far and wide, and the result was the Liberal party romped home as masters of the situation. When the leadership of the party was about, to become vacant we find Sir Robert gradually coming to the front and eventually regaiuing a seat, with the result with which We are all acquainted. Seddon, McKenzie, Ward, Cadman and others- stuck by the Liberal ship until they got her safely to port and refitted, and then when everything is snug up pops Sir Robert and wishes them to go "forad" and hand over to him the sweets of their labor. If he only re-entered public life to lead the party till the late elections, as asserted, what, we ask, is he doing there now ?