WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3234, 1 July 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

MondayScene in the Cabinet.

'Tllq way Ministers spefk to each other. Iteferring to the Hon. J. Balance's resignation the Chronicle the following as a plain unvarnished tale of the facts:—-l>i preparing the estimates this 'i're«yur#r removed the salary of__Mr Fati

j from tho Treasury department because Mv Fox d;d no woik specially for tliat dep'irlfuont. Mv Fox is Secret uj to tho Cabinet as a whole, and also Secretary to the Premier. The Treasurer, in drawing up his estimates, charged tho ralary of Mr Fox under its proper head. When the estimates wore forwarded to the Premier for revision he sent for the Colonial Treasnver, and asked him in a rudo way why the alteration had been made. Mr Ballance told him he had made the alteration because he thought that every item should be charged to its proper account.* The Premier said that Mr Ballance persisted in insulting him, that ho made him " blush," and went on to indulge in very opprobrious language to the Col. Treasurer. Mr Ballance calmly replied that he had never intentionally insulted the Premier, that he had drawn up the estimates in the way he thought best, but that ho was perfectly willing to make any alteration the Premier wished, for that was only the rough draft of the estimates, and it had yet to be revised in Cabinet. The Premier had now completely lost his self-control, and continued to rave at tho Col. Treasurer in the most offensive manner. Mr Ballance, being then put on his mettle, told the Premier that the matter was purely a departmental one, not a question of policy, and that he being responsible for his own department claimed the right to manage all purely departmental matters in his own way. The , Premier said he could not hear of such a ' thing—he must have absolute control of every item in all the departments, and that he wanted the "Treasury for himself." Mr Ballance suid if that were, so he must resign ; that was the only solution of the difficulty. Sir George said, "Do w, and I'll* resign too; we must both f'esign." Mr Ballance said, "Be it so," and turned togjleavo the room. Just as ho was getting near the door Sir George Grey shouted out, in the most offensive tone, "Leave the room, sir?" Hearing himself addressed as if he were the mere lacque|i of tho Premier, the Colonial Treasurer turned back, and, looking firmly at Sir George Grey, said : " I will not leave the room till it pleases me." The Premier, pointing to the door, again shrieked, " Leave ihe room, sir." Mr Ballance still refusing to go, the Premier shouted out, " Then i Hvill send for a messenger, and have you turned out." " I do not care if you send for twenty messengers," replied the Colonial Treasurer, looking calmly at the enraged Premier. Sir»oeorge then seized his hat and rushed out of the room. The messenger did actually come to eject the Colonial Treasurer, but was met at the door by Mr Sheehan, who offered him off. Two minutes latter Sir 'George sent his Private secretary to see if Mr|Ballance hadpnacated the chamber. Mr Ballance was still there, however, talking over the strange conduct of the Premier with the Native Minister, who had been present the whole tkfae. Half an hour before ho was sent for by Sir George Grey he received a telegram from Colonel Whitmore, who was in Auckland, stating that one of the Auckland papers had just published an " Extra," containing sensational news about a disruption of the, Cabinet. Mr Balance telegraphed :baek to Colonel Whitmore telling him to give a denial, as there had been no disagreement in the Cabinet. This shows that Sir George Grey's insulting conduct to Mr Ballance was pre-arranged, and that be had given intimation of what was going to happen. Sir George Grey has moreover been in the habit of receiving anonymous letters from all parts of the country complaining of the action of his colleagues. This is wholly unconstitutional and unprecedented. We understand ibi Minister for Public Works and the Native Minister have both threatened to resign. Mr Ballanco, having relieved himself of his duties as a.member of the Cabinet, will at once proceed to Wangapui to attend to his privates business till a day or two before the opening of Parliamenf. In the course*of the afternoon Mr Ballance received a letter' from the Premier, tho purport being that, in view of an early session of Parliament and a native war iqpiineut, and also; pending the settlement of numerous important questions, the Premier * trusted Mr Ballace might re consider his determination. Mr Ballanco repjjjid that he was unable to alter his determination, because he did not consider his retention of officse would be of any public advantage. Mr Macandrew sends in his resignation to-morrow. It is said thx?t Messrs Fisher aud Sheehan jjrill fojkfflr suit in a day or two. * J™ This day. Setter Foeling in the CaWf. The Premier Equal to the Q> : . casioa. ' The New Zealander apparently speaking with confidence says the public may reft assured that the present Ministry have no intention of throwing up their appointments, it also says notwithstanding the, withdrawal of the Treasurer, the Ministry will bo prepared to meet the flou.se with a full account of their stewardship. It says tho office of the Minister of Education must be filled up, and suggests Hou.'Mr , Gisborne. It continues it may be ijor the time being, that the Premier will accept the responsibility of the Attorney-General I and Treasurer. The action of Mr Ballanco is strongly condemned by the Ne-v Zealander. *