STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 296, 18 June 1909, Page 5

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.

Interviewed by a N.Z. Times' representative to-night relative to Mr Hogg's resignation, Sir Joseph Ward said the established Parliamentary practice both in England and throughout the English - 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 in this case- it was the duty of Mr Hogg to recognise that the views ho expressed were opposed to the main lines of the Government's policy, and therefore Ms duty to place - himself in .the hands' of his leader, so that the Government as a whole shoiild not be embarrassed by his continuing a member of the Cabinet. This practice, which has been followed England almost without exception during the last century, was recognised by Mr Hogg, who readily admitted that the views ho had given expression to' on Friday last were -inconsistent with the main principles of the policy of the Govtrnment, and that he was bound therefore to place, if asked, his resignation in the hands of the head of the Government. This course, Mr Hogg took in the friendliest spirit, and I have received his resignation in the circumstances stated, with the very greatest regret. After paying a strong tribute 7 to the personal work of Mr Hogg, the Premier continued: "Without in the slightest degree reflecting upon Mr Hoggs' judgment I am entitled to say that his retirement was in itself regarded as necessary by the general opinion of my colleagues and of our party as a whole. This opinion is not hostile to Mr Hogg personally, but is based upon the grounds that the views expressed by him were radically inconsistent, with the policy of the Government, and, secondly, on the ground that, being held by a responsible Miriister of the Crown, they would seriously embarrass, if not imperil the future financial position and operations of New Zealand. Not so much, perhaps, in this country itself, as in Great Britain."