PER SPECIAL WIRE TO "STAR."

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3387, 30 October 1879, Page 3

PER SPECIAL WIRE TO "STAR."

(Peb Peess Association.) WELLINGTON. Last night. Col, WMimoro <ra Coalition. The following letter appears in the Evening Chronicle :—" Sir,—l observe in an article in the Times of this morning that the no-surrender flag has been battled down, the information hinted at being, I presume, from official sources. I shall openly publish what occurred, which, .howejer, I believed myself bound not to mention, till I saw the article referred to. Beveral gentleman have recently asked me to open negotiations for a coalition for this session to talk over the financial crisis. I mention no names. I understand all spoke on their own account, but X may say all belonged to the present Government, and none to our own. On Sunday, however, a gentleman came to me and assured me that Mr Hail was quite willing to open negotiations and I replied that if he intended that I had no objection to be the bearer of the proposals provided they were honorable to our. own party; that I was not bound to lake any further part than to communicate them, and not to be understood to guarantee their acceptance. I expressly stated that the party was entirely opposed to coalition, Jsffi<& that I had no authority from a single - person to indicate a change of sievrs in this respect. I explained that I would not be the bearer of any terms that contained any stipulation less favourable than the following; that each party should be equally represented in the Cabinet; that Messrs Macandrew and Sheeban should have the option of seats, and that s member of the party if necessary might he called to represent it in the Council, as I would take bo part in such a coalition myself for many reasons ; provided that Mr Hall would himself make an offer nol less favorable than this I would submit it to Messrs Macandrew and Sheehan, who would act with the advice and consent of the whole party in the matter. I had no authority from anybody to treat and could give no guarantee whatever. None of my late colleagues ever heard of these proposals, which, when it turned out the gentleman referred to was not authorised by Mr Hall, and that Mr Hail was not prepared to initiate a negotiation, the whole matter perished still born. The party had no knowledge whatever that I had agreed to convey such a proposition, and the article in the Times is my justification for publishing it now. Had I not been misled by the statement that Mr Hall was prepared to offer terms on the basis of perfect quality on both sides, I would in this instance have replied that I could not move in the matter.—l am, etc., G. S. Whitmobe."