The Retirement of Mr Whitaker.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4130, 27 September 1883, Page 2

The Retirement of Mr Whitaker.

it has beer.me known that Mr Whttaker's withdrawal from the Cabinet marks his retirement from active public life. His private engagements willpl'oventhlm from ever again taking office. In view of this fact, it hits been suggested that same public recognition should bo given of his ihivfcy-sevea years of distinguished public EeVVice/. Wo arc quite sure that the

movement has only to be properly set on foot to elicit a hearty response, irrespective of party. Mr Whitakor has done good service to the North, and the blank caused by his withdrawal isalrendyfeltin the attitude towards tho North adopted by his late colleagues. In the very heat of party warfare the distinction between the man and the party issue which in tho whirligig of politics might at the moment be uppermost was never lost sight of, and wo aro confident that this feeling will find the fullest expression at a moment when, in a ripe and honoured old ago, Mr YVhilaker finds it incumbent upon him to lay aside tho cares (if ollice. The Statute Book of Now Zealand is indebted to Mr Whitaker for much of its liberalism, and Auckland has ever found in him an earnest champion, two obligations which may, we think, be most gracefully acknowledged at the present moment.