TUESDAY, JULY 1 1879.

Evening Post, Volume XVIII, Issue 1, 1 July 1879, Page 2

TUESDAY, JULY 1 1879.

.._ THE MINISTERIAL CRIBE3. — — ? — The Ministerial difficulty iv which this Colony last evening found itself involved came with all the suddenness of a surprise, notwithstanding the numerous premonitory symptoms which from time to time during the last few months have appeared to outsiders to indicate that "mischief was brewing." Seeing that the Ministry, however disturbed by internal dissensions, had managed to hold together until within less than a fortnight of the session— Mr. Stout's resignation being authoritatively stated to be caused solely by the exigencies of "urgent private affairs" — everybody not unnaturally took it for granted that at least they would meet Parliament as a nominally united body, and stand or fall together by the verdict which then should be pronounced on their conduct as a Government,- So extraordinary — we might even say unprecedented — an occurrence as the sudden resignation of the Colonial Treasurer actually on the last day of the financial year — only ten dayß before the meeting of Parliament, his Budget almost completed, his name even printed as the introducer of several Government Bills which had been circulated throughout the Colony— could hardly have been anticipated even by the most anti-Ministerial sensation-monger. Still less could it have been supposed that so remarkable an ocenrence would be brought about in the very singular way this rupture in the Cabinet is reported to have been precipitated. From statements which have found publication on the inspiration of Mr. Ballance, it would appear that the direct cause of his retirement was the insulting treatment he received from Sir Georgb Grey on Friday last in consequence of his having exercised his discretion as Colonial Treasnrer in preparing the Estimates, by charging the salary of the Secretary to the Cabinet under a different department from that to which the item previously was accredited. It is stated further that the Premier went so far as to order Mr. Ballance out of his room, and to send for a messenger to remove him forcibly if he declined to retire. This, of course, is only one side of the dispute, and the other side has not yet been heard. Nevertheless what may be regarded as Mr. Ballance's version of the quarrel is so entirely consistent with the course of action generally pursued by sir Gbokge Gkey that it may fairly be accepted aa accurately representing what took place. It is difficult 4b believe that the Premier could have imagined the Colonial Treasnrer would submit tamely to so gross and deliberate an affront, offered, too, in the presence of another member of the Cabinet. It is true Sir Gkobgb Grey last night addressed a memorandum to Mr. Ball an cc impressing upon hfrn the duty j of reconsidering his determination in view of the nearness of the Parliamentary session, and the critical position of several important matters. This can only be regarded as one of the Premier's astute strokes of- policy, designed to put Mr. BalliAnce apparently in the wrong with the public by throwing on him the whole responsibility of retiring at such a critical juncture, for Sir George Grey must have been well assured that a mere request to reconsider the resignation could not pos- ! sibly be entertained, unless accompanied ! by a full and. ample apology for the direct; personal insult which had been offered, i and, we are informed, no such apologywas tendered, or even implied. It is clear, therefore, that Sir George Grey was not sincere in his expressed wish that Mr. Ballance should continue to retain office, and that his memorandum to that effect was sent merely as an ostensible concession to his colletguea, while put in such a way that its rejection by Mr. Ballad cc was inevitable. These facts point very plainly to one conclusion. It is impossible to arrive at any other than that the whole affair has been carefully and deliberately planned by the Premier as one of his strokes of tortuous policy to get rid of a colleague who had presumed to display that independence of thought which Sir George Grey resents as the grossest impertinence when exhibited. by any member of his Cabinet. No one will be found so credulous as to believe that such a trumpery question as the department under which a particular officer's salary should be charged can really have had anything at all to do with the rupture, or was anything more than the convenient excuse for an- opportunity to' carry out a line of action long ago devised and deliberately led up to by the Premier to compel the resignation of an obnoxious colleague by offering him

a gross and wanton insult. The real' issue which is raised is therefore * far wider and more important one than as between Mr. Ballahcb ancl Sir George Gkey. It io true tßat the lobs' of Mr. Ballance individually is a serious blow to the Ministry, of which he was one of the ablest members, and must gravely affect its stability. Moreover it is rumored to be more than probable that Mr. M*acaudbew's retirement, and posaibly also that of Mr. SHKEHAtf will follow. The loss of individual Ministers, however, or their rumored replacement by Mr. REE3, Mr. Moss, and other new mcD, is, comparatively, altogether a minor matter.. The real question at issue is, as we stated last night, whether the colony Bhall be governed constitutionally by a responsible Ministry, accountable to Parliament and the people, or unconstitutionally by the Bingle will of one man irresponsible to anybody but himself. Sir Geoege Geey has demonstrated plainly that he has no sympathy with Liberal principles, and that he values them only as the means of attaining absolute personal power. He has not hesitated to deal a severe blow to the Liberal party by splitting it up, and thus seriously weakening it. The party, no doubt, will ultimately recover from the treacherous stab, but it cannot possibly recognise Sir George Geey any longer as ija leader. No man with any "regard for his own reputation could accept a seat in the Cabinet, knowing that he was to be merely a creature, and not a colleague of the Premier ; while those who, having no reputation to lose, might consent to accept the position, neither the House nor the country would tolerate. The speedy rejection .of Sir George Grey by the House of Representatives may therefore be regarded as certain ; and if this should involve his return to his luxurious retirement at Kawau — from whence it is to be regretted he ever emerged — the country will be easily consoled. His leadership of his party while in opposition did more than anything to retain the " Continuous Ministry" in office. His conducti as Premier* has done more to damage the Ministry than all the attacks of his Opposition. He has now shown plainly and unmistakeably that he aims directly at transforming the constitutional Government of the Colony into a pure, personal autocracy, and it is for the House and the country to say whether this shall any longer be tolerated. We mistake greatly if the answer will not be a very plain and decisive one.