Why Ministers Resigned.

Patea Mail, 20 April 1882, Page 3

Why Ministers Resigned.

It is pretty well known by this time that there were jealousies or differences within the Cabinet, and that these troubles were too much for Mr Hall in his weak state of health. It appears that Mr Hall and Major Atkinson worked smoothly together; that Mr Bryce and Mr Whitaker did not agree on some points of native policy, and that Mr Rolieston differed seriously from Mr Whitaker about land and the proper mode of acquiring it. Rumor was wrong in alleging that Mr Whitaker was the first to resign. It was, we believe, Mr Rolieston who first resigned; and it was Mr Bryce who intimated to the Premier his intention to take the same course. Mr Whitaker’s refusal to sanction a firm

method of dealing with refugee mur-

derers aoiong the Maories, was one cause of this split. The question of removing the Native Office from.Auckland to Wellington, and the contom-

plated abolition of the Native Department of Government, as proposed by Mr Bryce, may have helped to increase the difference of opinion. This want of harmony among Ministers was too much for Mr Hall’s weak state of health, and he gladly seized the occasion of Mr Rolleston’s resignation to resign his own position as head of the Government ; thereby making it necessary for all his colleagnes to resign with him. FORMING A MINISTRY. Me Whitaker is not to be envied in his task of forming a new Ministry, or reforming the old one minus Mr Hall. A' Premier most possess the one quality of being able to keep his colleagues in a ;state of working harmony f allowing them to differ in theory as much as they please, but smoothing over their differences with a quiet influence that secures a working agreement. Sir George Grey is not a Premier of this class: he lacks the easy governance and snave dexterity which made Lord Palmerston at Home the most successful Premier of modern limes. Mr Hal] has done remarkably well as ft conciliatory, manager of colleagnes in office. His health failing, he had to give up the task-

Mr Whitaker is not ranch liked among Southern politicians; and the fact of Mr Rolleston objecting strongly to some of his actions or proposals will not strengthen Mr Whitaker’s chances of forming a strong Cabinet. We believe Major Atkinson is-likely to work smoothly with Mr W'hitaker, for the Major can give and take, without insisting on extremes. Mr Bryce’s attitude towards Mr, Whitaker is said to be independent and something more. It is unfortunate for the colony that there shbnld be any risk of Mr Whitaker failing to re-construct the Government so as to include the principal members of Mr. Hall’s Cabinet. It is probable that Major.Atkinson, if invited by the Governor, would have bad the co-opera-tion of every member of the Hall Government except, the retiring Premier. Ministers may be more in harmony on general policy than rumor gives them credit-for; and their differences,- such as they are, may he on matters that are not of vital concern.

It is not precisely known whether the retiring Premier recommended Mr Whitaker, in preference to some other colleague as the most suitable successor. There is a suspicion "that this was rather the advice of Sir George Grey, who may have had his own reason for thinking that a Ministry formed by Mr Whitaker ranst be weak, and at the mercy of himself as an Opposition leader. Rumors and speculations may be.interesting, but they need not carry much weight until tested by later events. It is an unfortunate incident that Government business at Wellington is paralysed by these Ministerial troubles and changes. It is not less to be regretted that the sessional programme which Ministers had almost licked into final shape should be broken to pieces

bj their different;??. Noi many days should (‘lapse befmo Mr Whitaker announces Ids success or his failure in funning a Ministry. The Governor has done the right thing, so far as can be judged from such fads as are known ; for by “giving (he benefit of the doubt ” to the party in power, he has atoned for his indiscretion in sending for Sir George Grey. That was an amazing stroke of ill judgment, though it can be forgiven if nothing worse follows.