SIR GEORGE GREY DECLINES OFFICE.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 63, 16 August 1884, Page 6

SIR GEORGE GREY DECLINES OFFICE.

Messrs Stout, Ban-on, and Montgomery foinuilly waited on Sir Geovyo Groy tins morning, and a.sked whether ho would consent to join the no\s Mimstiy. Sir Geo. < ' i c \ replied by milling distinctly and finally. In ilouijj so, he said ho .spoke for himself, and did not pruic\v> to bind his ~-uppoitei- by hU decision.

Who is to be Native Ministor? f learn that Sii Julim Voyol and hisfiicnds not only find a diilioulty in cretting an Auckland lepie-entutive toy the Cabinet, but ;uo nl-o at a loss who to choose for Native Mini-ter. Theie is some talk of calling to the Executive Council Mr h\ L>. Fenton, oi" Auckland, exChiol Judge oi tho Nativo Lancia Court: though ho would doubtless make an excellent Minister, I cannot say that he has boon definitely asked,

An Enterprising Press-Man. Mr Twopenny, editor of the " Otago Daily Time.i," which has been a warm champion of Sir -Julius Vogol, obtained the neM.s of the terms dictated by Mr Macandrow to Sir Julius Vogel last night, and wroto a tolograin and leador. Ho ottered it at tho telegraph office at midnight, and the oporator refused. Ho then wont in search of Dr. Lemon. Aftor knocking up fivo unoffending slumberers, he found Dr. Lemon, who came down in his nightshirt and courtoou&ly issued an order, and the message went thiough to the "Times," thus forestalling all other morning papors.

A Vogclito Viow of tho Situation. The folloM ing portions of tho leader sent shows how the proposed combination is riewed by ardent Vogelites. The article protests against the formation of a Ministry with Mr Stout as Premier, Sir Julius Vogel as Treasurer, and Messrs Montgomery, Macandiew, Ballance, and "Whitraore and an Auckland Gveyitc, which it states is contemplated. Pie declares that although the policy may be Sir Julius Vogel's, the country will look at the names of the Premier for the guiding principles of the members who compose it. These, it says, give no assurance of moderation, and would reasonably oftend the susceptibilities of tho North Inland. It would be distinctly a Kadical Ministry, and a Middle Island Ministry. Tho " Times " believed Sir Julius Vogel could form a Ministry of new men (leaving out tho old party loaders) which would stand ; and declares that tho situation has been sacrificed to the vanity of the Premier and Messrs Montgomery and Macandrow, whom it styles "The old fossils of provincialism." The article concludes with a hope that " the Vogelites with a brake on," of whom it considers itself the organ, will make it impossible for this programmo to bo carried out.

SIR GEORGE GREY'S REASONS FOR DECLINING OFFICE. The discussion lasted over an hour. Although not directly stated, it was implied that Mr Stout was to bo Premier in tho combination with Sir J. Vogel which Sir George Grey was asked to join. Sir Geo. Grey pointed out that thero had been plenty of men in Parliament capable of carrying on tho government of the country, and objected to an interposition f-rom outside being forced on them. He said he would never make any sacrifice in order to obtain a little earlier what he knew must come to the people. He distinctly declined to entertain the proposal in any form.

The Effect on Vogelism. The effect of this offer and its refusal has had a damaging effect on tho Vogel party. It lias also had tho result of consolidating the Opposition by increasing the feeling that Sir Julius Vogel cannot form a Government which will command a majority. Messrs Macandrew and Montgomery have now asked for further time to consider whether they will accept portfolios, and it is unde r stood they ■will not do so without again consulting Sir George Giey.

A Bid tor tho West Coast Members, It is rumoured that the Vogclites offered Seddon a portfolio as Minister of Mines if he would take over the four West Coast votes. Mr Seddon is evidontly flattered, but I doubt if his colleagues are equally so.

A Barren Task. It transpires that Mr Barron has boon "shepherding" tho eighteen MacandrowMontgomery votes.

Mr Stout and His Chief. Mr Stout has consented to tako office undor Sir Julius Vogel.

LATER. Full Account of the Negotiations. I have received a full and roliablo account of the negotiations between Sir J. Vogel and his supporters, which preceded the offer to Sir Geo. Grey to-day. Sir J. Vogel sent for Mr Macandrew on Saturday, and asked him to join, Mr

Macandrow rep' J ecl that he and Mr Montgomery acted together, and Mr Montgomery must also be ottered a portfolio. He also pointed out that without their 18 votes Sir JuMus Vogel had no chance, but with them and the twenty-one pledged to Sir J. Vogol pc voi ally, together with other accessions, they might obtain a majority. They further made it a condition that Mr Stout, not Sir J. Vogol, should be Premier. On hearing this, Sir J. Vogel .sent for a leading Canterbury man, one of his chief tuppoitors, and said he would act entiiely as his party directed. This gentleman stated that the names submitted, which included Mossrs Ballanco and Cadman, meant a complete surrender to the Radical party, and objected altogether to tho position. Sir J. Vogel replied that, failing Mr Macaudrew's suppoit, he could do nothing, and so the matter was left. This morning's interview w ith SirG. Grey completes tho confusion, and now it is thought OAceedingly impiobablo that Sir Julius Vogel will form a Cabinet. Tho Vogol Ministry a Failure.

A mooting of his supporters will be held to-morrow, and tho chances at presont favour the belief that ho will notify tho (Jovernor of his inability, and some one else will bo summoned. Tho negotiations, so far, aro a complete "boil-ovor. 11