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Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 440, 2 July 1879, Page 2

A telegram reached us from the Press Agency on Monday, to the effect that there had been a rupture in tho Cabinet, and that Mr Ballance had resigned his position as a Minister, tlirouga a misunderstanding between himself and Sir George Grey. Other information has since come to hand that that Messrs Sheehan, Fisher, and Macandrevv are about to do the same thing as the Hon Mr Ballance. Writing on the above, the Wanganui Chronicle says : “ The most unprincipled Government that ever cursed New Zealand—a Cabinet, in its constituent elements, representing nearly nil the vices—strong only in its most glaring weaknesses—in its duplicity, treachery, and cowardice—is falling to pieces. Not because of attacks from without, but through low, vulgar squabbling that would be a disgrace to the meanest local body that ever sat, and would not even be tolerated in a Maori runanga. Shamefully deserting his first love, the member for Eangitikei openly coquetted with the hero of the hour until he had secured the sweets of office, and in tho days of his honeymoon sounded abroad the praises of his political paramour,.' in terms that were absolutely sickening to such as knew the bonds that bound them. We knew full well that such an ill-assorted pair could only endure one another’s presence so long as it was to their mutual interest to hold together. And now they have split. And one of them, after taking the people’s money for his services up to within ten day’s of the meeting of Parliament, throws up his work and abandons his post. Andforwhat? Simply because he and his chief have had another fall out. Was it such an uncommon thing then ? Is it not rather a fact, of which the whole colony was aware, that tho ill-assorted pair have for some time lived a perfect cat and dog life ? Aye, and it was well enough known to them, or at any rate to one of them, that the colony would not put up any longer with the wranglings and squabblings, and their fearful mismanagement of its affairs. And so one of the pair has gladly availed himself of the opportunity of running away after ascertaining that there was nothing more to be had by remaining. Ho might of course have swallowed an affront from a chief of his own selection —he might have finished his work and mot Parliament, and have decently handed over the keys of his office to a successor of whom the House might approve,—but what did he care for- the House or th e countr oithei ? He know that he wo c nave to go in a week or two’s time, and he might as well try and make a virtue of necessity, and go at once. And now two of the officers have cowardly deserted the ship, there is si general scramble to got overboard. Another is reported to be going to-morrow, and two more in a day or two afterwards. To the termination of such an inglorous career, may the following lines from Narmion be fittingly applied. At many a deathbed I have been, And many a sinner’s parting seen, — But never a sight like this.”