The Press. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1893. WHO IS THE POLITICAL HEIR OF THE LATE PREMIER ?

Press, Volume L, Issue 8665, 14 December 1893, Page 4

The Press. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1893. WHO IS THE POLITICAL HEIR OF THE LATE PREMIER ?

This interesting question, hitherto enshrouded in mystery deep as that attaching to the identity of the Man in the Iron Mask, or the authorship of the".Letters of Junius," entered into a new phase when the Premier, Mr. Seddon, recently spoke during the electoral campaign in Rangitikei. There Mr. Seddon claimed that he alone was tbe true and lawful heir, and by inference that Sir Robert Stout was but a pinoh-beck impostor, an antipodean edition of Perkin Warbeok or Lambert Simnel. To show he was the real Simon Pure, he triumphantly boasted of certain papers given him by his dying chief. The aiugular thing was that it took Mr. Seddon seven months to make up his mind to talk about these proofs of his heirship. Why this B.lenoe, this reticence, in the garrulous, non-reticent Premier 1 Why did he keep silence through ail these long months ? Of course the political scoffers at once Bueered at the Premier's claims. The jeer era pointed to the magnificent collection of Seddonian "fairy tales," and asked if they were not famous throughout the laud from Gape Maria Van Dieman even unto Foveaux Straits. Spite of the plausibly told tale there were myriads of Didymuses, aud the laud appeared to be peopled with descendants of Thomas the Doubter/ From among those scoffing swarms arose a man who appealed direct to Sir Robert Stout. Now the latter is a lawyer, clever, able to deftly parry a difficult question, and he fenced this once. But the reply, evasive as it was, clearly, when read between the lines, admitted that Mr. Ballanoe had bequeathed to him the leadership (so far as in his power it lay)—the leadership of the party which the dying Premier had so successfully handled. Now comes the question, "Where is the truth V" Did Mr. BallA-TCB in his nobly-borne last illness, anxious for the welfare of the colony, eager that his policy should be continued, leave it to bis old colleague and former chief, hi 3 life long friend, Sir Robert Stout, or did he leave it to one of hia colleagues, Mr. Seddon, Minister for Publio Works? Which is the real heir . Each declares himself to be the only legitimate successor, aud the "Liberal " party is torn by its attachmenttoeither leader. The party is riven on the question, " Which is telliug the truth?" or inversely, " Who is inventing an untruth ? " Quite clearly Mr. Balla.NO-. did nominate a successor \ on that point all parties are agreed. How to distinguish the lawful heir from the pretender is a question agitating many minds. j Lee us try to unravel this nays-, tery, dark as the rites * of the Rosicruciaus. In older New Zealand days we might have consulted a Maori " tohunga " —a man gifted with second sight, but that race being extinct we 8-iquld have to employ a member of ft at detective force, of whioh Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes is the peerless chief. Ouv detective, copying his leader Holmes, would first of all sit down to do a quiet "thiuk," then visit the scene, interview all sorts and conditions of men, dive into Hansards and ransack the Parliamentary library, and pryiugly gossip with people resident iv Wellington at that date. After patient search Sherlock Holmes' lientenant would draw up the following report :-"-'* Mr. Ballance and S» Robert Stout were old tried frieuds, with a friendship solid and real as that of David aud Jonathan. When Mr. Ballance formed his Ministry he first consulted his former colleague and chief, and throughout his Premiership was in constant touch and sympathy with Sir Robert. In hia last illuess Mr. Ballance iuvited tc Stay with him his trusted friend Sit Robert, cpusulted him about many things, and asked his life long friend to be with him in his hour, of peri I Sir Robert was with him to the end ; uotßO Mr. Seddon, who was only at rare short intervals. All the evidence shox. that Sir Robert was his real friend, and that he viewed Mr. Seddon with coolness, or at best, an indifference. Mr. Ballance all his Premiership, consulted his old colleague, and as evidently was but little in touch with Mr. Seddon. All the evidence collectable from persons who knew Mr. Ballance at that time, all the inner circle of Civil servants, were of oue opiuion, viz, that Mr. Ballance had suggested to Sir Rosa st Stout that as his illness was bound to be a long one, he would resign his seat for Wanganui, and then Sir Robert could step into it, and also, if the party agreed, could accept Sir Robert ..touts leadership. These statements no one at the time doubted as beiug true. It is admitted on ail hands that Mr. Ballance desired Sir Robert to be his successor, as he considered the wide knowledge, his great reading, and hi* ripening experience would fit him for the lead. . Rumour ran rife through Wellington that matter* were so far arranged that the Governor would send for Sir Robert and not for Mr. Seddon. "From information received,' Holmes, lieutenauc learnt that Sir Robert Stout was willing to accept the leadership if the party were willing, and the

accuracy of this was proved by Sir Robert's own actions at a later date. Further, there is ample evidence to show that Ministers, after Mr. Ballance's death, freely disoussed the question of leadership, several warmly favouring Sir Robert's cause, and at Cabinet meetings the matter was hotly discussed, and only ended when Mr. Seddon, having his Excellency's note in his pocket, decided to grasp the >ffice for himself—to the blauk dismay jf some of his colleagues." At a later iate, was found further strougly jonfirmatory evidence of a very .triking character—indeed, so much jo as to be conclusive to ordinary minds. The new discovery was very Btriking, quite theatrical in its effects. At the time of his death, Mr. Ballance, as Treasurer, had been converting certain loans —a financial operation of great delicacy, and needing, as any business raau would know, skill in handling, and for a time a strict seoresy, in order that the " bulls" and the "bears" on the Stock Exchange in London should not tarnish our giltedged securities. Mr. Ballance as Treasurer and Premier received very important documents anent these from London ; they reached him a few days before his death. Now, to whom did Mr. Ballance hand these papers ? Did he give them to the custody of the Minister for Publio Works, Mr. Seddon? No, He gave them to his political heir, Sir Robert Stout. The detective at once grasped- this as overwhelming evidence. Would so wise, so " knowing " a man as Mr. Ballance have done this except under the Bolemn belief that Sir Robert Stout would bo the next Premier . Would he have handed such important State papers to a man out of Parliament, holding then no actual official position, unless he had previously discussed and fully ascertained Sir Roberts views . The thing is impossible. No sane mind oould credit it. If Mr. Ballance had made Mr. Seddon his heir moat certainly these private confidential papers would have been given to Mr. Seddon -—as the latter did not know they existed the proof that Mr. Ballance did not; nominate him is absolutely convincing. Every scrap of evidence, all the surrounding circumstances, point with overwhelming force to Sir Robert as being theaotual real heir, and that Mr. Seddon is therefore the Pretender. Opposed to this massive proof there is simply Mr. Seddon. boasting speech that he is the lawful heir, and his own statement that Mr. Ballance handed him certain papers. As regards these papers, relied upon as proof, Mr. Seddon has not dared to publish them, and they were matters of quite second rate im-portance—-not in the same class with those whioh Mr. Ballance so gravely entrusted to Sir Robert. On the oue side is arrayed a vast body of solid evidence sufficiently good to get a verdict for Sir Robert ; on the other only an idle speech of a braggart Premier. So far the case has proceeded, but the verdict has yet to be giveu. Now that the elections are over, now that Mr. Seddon has made his speech, the New Zealand public wiU keenly, eagerly await Sir Robert's statement, about publishing which there need not be auy longer delay. For the honour of pur publio mien the matter ought to be cleared up. Was Mr. Seddon telling the exact truth at Raugitikei. If so, he is entitled to credit. If, however, his speech was wide of the facts; if he has been giving a looso rein to his tongue, then the publio should kuow it and they would theft know properly how to estimate the Premier. The Press in the North Island has vigorously discussed the question. The personal honour of Sir Robert Stout and of Mr. Seddon is involved in the answer. Sir , Robert is uot likely to rest quietly under the stigma of having spread ! abroad such reports iv his own favour, and of theu letting them be flatly contradicted by the Premier. The weight of all the published evidence, of aU the facts is strongly in favour of Sir Robert Stout* and to put in opposition to theni is only one of Mr. Sbddon's heotoring, swash-buckler, roysterlng speeches. Such being the ease the nation is compelled to believe in Sir Robert as the real heir, aud that Mr. Seddon is only the political pretender to the leadership of Mr Ballanoe's party. Sir Robert's friends j.r*. anxious that the matter should be fully discussed, and the broadest floods of daylight be let in upon the question. A man in Mr Seddoh's position cannot for bis own honour let things stand aa they are. The matter bas ceased to be only of interest to the two men couoerned; it has grown into far wider importance. The Premier is bound to substantiate a statement whioh, however true, has against it a mass of weighty evidence, and iv itfavour only one of his speeches. Mr Seddon'a personal honour is bound ujj in the question. He might have treated the matter with stolid indifference; he,has s ebo.en to put iv hit olaim. Having gone so far—having assumed the heirship—he is bound tv convince the nation; otherwise the people of this colony, will undoubtedly braud him aa a daring impostor.