Mr Williams and Mr Bryce.

Patea Mail, 15 July 1880, Page 2

Mr Williams and Mr Bryce.

We understand that Mr W. Williams resigned his connection with the Government shortly before Parliament met. He saw the Native Minister in Wellington, and requested leave to resign his position as a resident Commissioner for native affairs on the West Coast. It was then arranged that Mr Williams should continue to act, at tlie request of Mr Bryce, untiFall conflicting claims as to the laud blocks purchased in the Patea County had passed through the Native Lands Court. Mr Williams agreed to act until that business was completed. Since that resignation was made, Parliament has assembled, and Mr Biyco has made certain statements affecting the official character of Mr Williams, to the extent that he, as a Government agent, was doing business with natives by soiling carriages, &c., through his sons, proprietors of the Patea Coach Factory. This is, we believe, a fair position for the Native Minister to have taken up. It is not desirable that a Government agent should be interested in articles sold to natives. We understand, however, that Mr Williams has no financial interest whatever in the business' of his sons. They did use his name in the first instance ; but that ceased some time ago, and the sons arc working independently. Mr Williams is so generally respected that it will be satisfactory to the public to see that he has put an end to his ambiguous connection with the Government. Every business man will be aware that a capitalist, with the knowledge and experience that Mr Williams has, ought to be able to employ his knowledge and money to much greater advantage than tying himself up with a small salary as a.Governrnent officer. Mr Williams had office pressed upon him in the first instance, and he resigned before any complaint of his action had been made, either publicly or privately.