A STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7825, 18 June 1909, Page 4

A STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.

WELLINGTON, June 17. Interviewed by a New Zealand Times representative to-night, relative to Mr Hogg's resignation, Sir Joseph Ward said: "The established parliamentary practice, both Jn England and through; the Eriglish-speaking countries, renders' it necessary for any member of an Administration who expresses opinions radically at variance with the policy of the Government to which he belongs to consider his relation to his colleagues, and m this case it was the duty of Mr Hogg to recognise that the views he expressed were opposed to the main lines of the Government's policy, and therefore it was his duty to place himself m the hands of his leader so that the Government as a whole should not be embarrassed by his continuing a member of the Cabinet. 'This practice, which has been followed m England almost without exception during the last century, was recognised by Mr 'Hogg, who readily admitted that the views he had given expression to on. Friday last were inconsistent with the main principles of the policy of the present Government, and that he was bound, therefore, to place; if asked; his resignation m the hands of the head of the Government. This course Mr Hogg took m the most friendly spirit, and I have received his resignation m the circumstances stated with the very greatest regret. As regards Mr Hogg himself, I entertain, and always i have entertained, not only the highest admiration for the courage with which he expresses his opinions, but for his sterling honesty and his devotion to doctrines which, although I differ from them, I admit he' conscientiously entertains. To this- I may add that I have always felt for Mr Hogg a very high sense of friendship, and the combination of these circumstances made our official separation one of the deepest regret to me, a regret tempered, however, by the fact that Mr Hogg has retired from my Cabinet without a suggestion of bitterness on his part, and, I believe, without any stain being placed on the friendship which for so many years we v have mutually enjoyed. Without m the slightest degree reflecting upon Mr Hogg's judgment, I am entitled to say that his retirement was m itself regarded as necessary by the general opinion of my colleagues and of our party as a whole. The opinion is not hostile to Mr Hogg personally, but is based first upon the grounds that the views expressed by him were radically inconsistent with the policy of the Government, and secondly upon the ground that, being held by a responsible Minister of the Grown, they would seriously embarrass, if not imperil, the future financial position and operations of New Zealand, not so much, perhaps, m this country itself as m Great Britain. It is unnecessary for me to add that attaching to my office there are responsibilities whose discharge, although painful and "unpleasant, becomes imperative when the welfare and interest of the country demand: The course taken has been adopted by me after the most anxious and painful consideration, and, m view of my personal friendship for Mr Hogg, with extreme reluctance."