The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1911. INTERESTING HISTORY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13523, 3 November 1911, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1911. INTERESTING HISTORY.

In his opening speech in tho Opera House last week Mr Yeitoh referred to an incident connected with the Atkinson Government that has probably escaped the notice of old-time political enthusiasts, and which may not he generally known to present-day political students. Mr Veitch suggested that if the people did not agree with the policy of the Government, the Government should go out of power, as did Sir Harry Atkinson, who, he said, “resigned practically before the House mot: there was no hacking and filling.’’ A reference to Hansard and the old files of the “Herald” shows that quite the reverse happened to what Mr Yeitch says took place. So far from Sir Harry Atkinson resigning when he was defeated at the elections in December, 1890, and found ho was in a hopeless minority, ht persisted in clinging to office, and put the country to the expanse of holding two sessions of Parliament in tho one year. On the day following the elections of 1890 the “Herald” announced, on the authority of Mr Ballance:

“Tho elections aro strongly in favour of the Opposition. There lias never been perhaps so decided a victory gained by the Liberal Party on clear and defined principles. There is absolutely no doubt whatever that the Government have sustained a smashing defeat.” The “Herald's” estimate of the results of the returns to hand then was Opposition 42, Government and Doubtful 29, and it w r as not a little significant that in the first division after the House assembled (for Sir Harry Atkinson could not be convinced without a division) tho Opposition were defeated by 36 to 29, thus showing that Mr Ballance had fairly correctly estimated the strength of parties. Spite of the returns, however. Sir Harry, when interviewed in Wellington by a representative of Hie Press Association, said that “it was not quite, clear that the Opposition had a working majority even, and it was certain they were not all followers of Mr Ballance. . . . Had an Opposition majority been returned, with avowed leaders who had been Ministers, no doubt it would he the thing to resign at once and let the Governor send for Mr Ballance.'’ Commenting on the refusal of Sir Harry to adopt the constitutional practice and resign, the “Herald” wrote:

“The Premier has broken his promise, and is guilty of dishonourable conduct. His initials were appended to an agreement that' he would resign at once if defeated. Ho lias been defeated, yet clings on with his insatiable greed for office for another month. This conduct is quite characteristic, and reveals the man's character, having been repeatedly charged in the House with breaking bis most solemn engagements. . . . Parliament is to be called together in the middle of next month to enable a Government to he formed. There was absolutely no necessity for atl the trouble and expense involved in a special session.”

The "Wellington Post, which certainly had no brief for Mr Ballance in those days, wrote in a similar strain to the “Herald. 1 It said:

“Is it not the duty of Lord Onslow as a constitutional Governor, jealous alike of the honour of the Crown and the credit and welfare of the colony, to insist peremptorily on the pledge being fulfilled to the letter, and to interfere with all the of his power and authority to prevent his advisers 'from violating their plighted faith and dishonouring • the Premier’s signature. Ministers have not dared to assure him that they possess a majority in the new House. On the contrary, they plead guilty to a minority; a minority in any ease, but a very large one on the question of confidence in the Ministry as at present constituted. . . . His r.xcelloncy should insist l on their fulfilling their solemnly pledged engagement to region under the circumstances which have arisen. His first duty is to insist on their resignation—their only duty to re-sign.

Sir Harry Atkinson absolutely refused to resign. Parliament was called together in January, 1891, and was opened by Commission”, the Hansard report of the proceedings stating that “his Excellency the Governor, not thinking fit 1 to bo present here this day, hath been pleased to cause a Commission to be issued in order to the opening and holding of this Parliament. Immediately Parliament was opened, Mr Saunders (a supporter of Sir Harry Atkinson) moved the appointment of Mr Rolleston as Speaker, to which an amendment for the appointment of Major Steward was moved by Mr Seddon. The motion was defeated by 36 to 29, and Major Steward was elected. Mr Mitchelson then announced that the Premier had tendered his resignation to the Governor, Parliament adjourned for three or four days, and on reassembling Mr Ballance said.

Sir. with the permission of the House, I would take this opportunity of stating that since the House last rose I have been engaged in an attempt to perform the talk which his Excellency was pleased to entrust to me— the formation of a Ministry; and I may inform the House that I have been successful in so doing. The names of the gentlemen who have consented to be his Excellency’s advisers are as follow:—Myself, Premier. Colonial Treasurer, Minister of Native Affairs, and Commissioner of Trade and Customs. Hon. Mr Buckley, m the Upper House, Attorney-General, Colonial Secretary, and Postmaster-General; Mr William Praihcr Reeves, Minister of Education and Mini, ter of Justice; Mr Seddon, Minister foi Public Works, Minister of Mines, and Minister of Defence; Mr John McKenzie. Minister of Lands and Immigration, and Minister for Agriculture. Mr Ward has joined the Executive Council without portfolio; and I may say that practically the administration of the Post and Telegraph Department will he in his hands, and hj. will discharge the duties of that Department in this House. There “ P"*: folio which has not yet been filled, but I hope to he able to announce in a day or two that the portfolio has been filled. Sir 1 now move that the House, at ns ri-ing, do adjourn till to-morrow. Further comment is unnecessary.