MR WITHEFORD'S SECESSION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10765, 19 September 1900, Page 5

MR WITHEFORD'S SECESSION.

(SPECIAL TO "THE I'HESS.") WELLINGTON, September 18. There is a good deal of talk over Mr Witheiford's secession from the Government party, and equally a good deal of comment on th. tone of the Premier's reply to Mr Withe fold's letter, which is as follows: — "I have th© honour to acknowledge receipt of your l.tter of the 15th inst., in which you inform mc that if the amounts for the railway votes are as indicated, you will, in tlie interests of Auckland, move a No Confidence motion. I presume this is your irreducible minimum, maximum and ultimatum. If so, seeing 1 know you take a deep interest in my personal welfare, you will be pleased to learn that neither my appetite nor my sleep have been disturbed, and I may add that lmpey's May Apple haa not been called into requisition." Mr Witheford has been in bed with a very bad headache, but it is understood __ufc he is now b.tter, and is concocting a reply to Mr Seddon's effusion. The following letter h.-ia since been nent by the Premier to Mr Wi tlie ford: — "Premier's Office, Wellington, 18th September,. 1900. Sir, —I have the honour to acknowledge' the receipt of your letter, intimating that you and the other members .forming Saturday's deputation on the subject of district were somewhat dissatisfied with ray reply. I regret exceedingly that there should have been a misapprehension, as there evidently has been, with regard to the railway proposals of the Government. Our object has been to keep tho Public Works expenditure within, reasonable limits, and to give pref«r_ice to thr. main trunk lines, the North. Island main trunk to have first place. In respect to the proposal- with regard to it and the other main trunk lines, whicii mean, a larger increase in the expenditure than in forn_r years, and greater expedition in the completion of the works, I can only say that this can be done after making full provi-son for district railways, roads and other necessary works. I take no exception to your anxiety and persistent efforts on behalf of tlie North* Island trunk railway, and I te&l assured that when the Estimates come down you will bo sati-fied with the proposals of the Government. I was exceedingly surprised to find that my unofficial note to you of last evening was taken seriously, and I regret that this should have been tha cose. At the same time, I feel satisfied you will not hold ma responsible for tlie conclusion arrived at.—Yours faitMuhy, R. J. SEDDON."