The Feilding Star. Published Daily. "SATURDAY, NOV. 25, 1893. Sir Robert Stout and the Premier

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 125, 25 November 1893, Page 2

The Feilding Star. Published Daily. "SATURDAY, NOV. 25, 1893. Sir Robert Stout and the Premier

Ouit readers will remember that in bis speech here, Mr Seddon said he had assumed the Premiership of the Colony at the request of the late Mr Ballance. The Wellington Post at once clml lenged Mr Seddon to give some proof of this, but as yet he has been silent. It was generally believed that Mr Ballance wished Sir Robert Stout to have succeeded him as the leader of his party, and not Mr Seddon. It appears that the members of the New Zealand Political Reform Association determined to set their doubts at rest, and wrote direct to Sir Robert Stout asking him to place at the disposal of the Association whatever information he possessed on the question at issue. The following is the reply of Sir Robert Stout: — "Dear Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge receipt by today's mail of your letter of the 16th instant, requesting me to reply to your association as to the late Mr Ballance's wishes as to his successor. I have to say I do not see how that should influence the elections, and I do not think that the question should be raised at present. The time will no doubt come when tbe truth regarding my late friend's wishes will be said ; meanwhile you will excuse me answering your question. Yours truly, Robert Stout." We would have liked Sir Robert to have been a little more candid, because this very guarded reply leaves it open for the public to believe that tbe statement of the Post was absolutely correct, and therefore that of Mr Seddon within the region of doubt. It is all very well, possibly, to be discreet in the interests of party, especially during a general election, but this is a matter which concerns the honor of the Premier of the Colony, who, from his position, is the head of all parties, and we consider it disingenuous to conceal tho truth, or rather to expose it by implication because it was not seen " how that could influence the elections." Sir Robert Stout evidently believes in the snjiprcsio veri just as much as does the Hon Mr Seddon when political necessity renders such a course excusable if not justifiable. The public will wait with interest a definite reply to the Post's now famous article "Nailed to the Counter,"