MR BRYCE’S RESIGNATION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2439, 12 January 1881, Page 2

MR BRYCE’S RESIGNATION.

SECOND EDITION

[Bv Tkleguaiti.]

Wellington, Jan. 11. Sir Bryce’s resignation has created considerable surprise on the part of the public, not having been in the least expected, although in well informed circles it has long been known that he differed from his colleagues in desiring more vigorous action relative to the W est Coast Native difficulty, while the other Ministers held themselves bound by the understanding with Pur.iament last session to follow the recommendations of the Commissioners, and not to take any new departure involving a risk of war, unless fresh circumstances arose to render such a course unavoidable. I believe that a collision between Mr Bryce and his colleagues on this score was only narrowly averted two months ago, and that matters have been steadily culminating till the crisis was reached yesterday, when I understand that Mr Bryce insisted that an advance should bo made on Parihaka by the 17th of this month, when the regular meeting would be held indue course. Te Whiti should be arrested under the West Coast Settlement Act, which he held applied to him. He maintained that the time had come to take prompt steps for the destruction

of Te Whiti’s influence by bis personal arrest, and by the constabulary occupying Parihaka, which he believed would finally settle and end the Native difficulty there. It is understood that made it his ultimatum that either this should be agreed to by the Cabinet or else he would resign his offices. The individual views of the different Ministers have not transpired, but I hear that they were unanimous in disapproving of such a step under present circumstances, deeming that the Government were bound to carry out the recommendations of the West Coast Commissioners as sanctioned by Parliament before talcing any new departure, unless a fresh set of circumstances shall arise to warrant prompt aggressive action. From what I can learn it was the unanimous opinion of the rest of the Cabinet that no circumstances had arisen which would justify Ministers in the eyes of Parliament and the country in taking so serious a step as a hostile advance on Parihaka, and the arrest of Te Whiti, it being very questionable, moreover, whether he had not been too astute to bring himself within the scope of even so elastic an enactment as the West Coast Settlement Act. They considered that the difficulty was in a fair way to a pacific and permanent settlement, and that it would be a pity to disturb the present favorable course of events by any precipitate action, especially as Sir W. Fox has just been intrusted with new powers in the direction of a peaceful arrangement of that dispute. On this point the difference between Mr Bryce and his colleagues proved irreconcilable, and he tendered Ids resignation, at the same time expressing the utmost goodwill and friendly feeling towards them, this being the sole point of dissension. He, however, had declared to Parliament that unless he could pursue the course he deemed best adapted to settle the Native difficulty he should retain his portfolio, and as he was over-ruled by his colleagues in what he deemed an essential point of his poliev, be would no longer, hold office. Ministers I hear, deeply regretted his resignation, and did their utmost to dissuade him, but in vain. Mr Rolleston takes temporary charge of the Native and Defence Departments. It will be some little time before the vacancy is filled np, and no definate views are yet formed as to Mr Bryce’s probable successor. Sir W. Fox and Mr Ormoud are both mentioned outside, but I have the strongest reason for doubting the probability of either taking office. —“ Press”