THE INTERVIEW WITH THE PREMIER.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7731, 10 December 1890, Page 6

THE INTERVIEW WITH THE PREMIER.

______ ASSOC__.TION T___o__M.l WANGANUI, Decembers'.

Ia reference to the Press Association interview with the Premier, the Wanganui Herald says that Sir Harry Atkinson does not deny the existence of a sextain document requiring him to resign immediately, should the elections go against the Government, but he evidently desires to place a construction upon it which it does not legitimately bear, and which certainly was not intended. In reply to the interviewer, he says:—" He had so. given any pledge to resign, but had said If the elections went against him he would act In a constitutional manner. It was now his duty to call his Ministers together and consult them on the position, and a perfectly constitutional way Wonld be to call Parliament together _W early as possible. It was extremely inconvenient to assemble the House before tho end of March, bnt it was quite likely this wonld have to be done." The clause of the agreement bearing the initials Sir Harry Albert Atkinson) runs as follows:—-"It is fully recognised that constitutional practice requires that tha result of the general elections should, If clearly apparent, regulate the conduct of Ministers in retaining office or tendering their resignation." The meaning is evident, but as the import of the words was fully discussed between the negotiators, the Hon J. Bryce and the Hon J. BaQ-U-ce, let Mr Bryce place the interpretation upon them as it waa understood at the time. Before thePremier commits himaelf too far it would be well that he communicated with Mr Bryce on the subject. Indeed, nothing could be more forced than to attach the meaning to the words that the defeat means calling Parliament together. By another clause in the agreement, embodied in a clause of the Appropriation Act, Parliament mast not meet later than the first week in April. The object of the parties was to prevent two sessions in one year, and the immediate resignation of the Ministry in the case of defeat was to prevent the holding of an extra session. The unconstitutional nature of the act of a beaten Ministry continuing to hold omce without tendering their resignation, does not require argument. The inconvenience and loss to the colony by such a course could hardly be exaggerated. It would not prepare a policy, and it would meet Parliament in April without anything to be put before It. The resale would be that a year wonld be lost, or two sessions would have to be held in one year, for it could not be expected that a new Ministry would be able to organise itself and prepare its measures in a few days."