THE POLITICAL SITUATION. THE STORY OF THE CEISIS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 236, 17 April 1882, Page 2

THE POLITICAL SITUATION. THE STORY OF THE CEISIS.

THE GOVERNOR'S VERSION.

MR. WHITAKEE EE-CONSTEUCTS THE MINISTRY.

(PER UNITED PRES3 ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Following is an accurate account of the Ministerial crisis: — A very important member of the Government telegraphed his resignation to Mr. Hall on the 31st ult. On the same day Mr. Hall received what he supposed to be an intimation thai another of his colleagues would also retire. Mr. Hall's health had been feeble for some time, and this intelligence coupled with tbe excuse of illness, led him to telegraph his resignation to tho Govenor. His Excellency had some months since pointed out his doubts whether the Government possessed a majority in the new Parliament, and had urged its immediate assembling for tbe discussion of that point. When, therefore, Mr. Hall's Ministry resigned, the Governor felt it necessary before commissioning any person to form a Government, to ascertain more closely the actual state of parties. This information on one hand he was able to obtain from Mr. Hall, and on the other he sought it from Sir George Grey, as leader of the Opposition in the late Parliament and head of the Ministry which preceded that of Mr. Hall's. Having received full information of the strength of both parties according to their own estimate, he has come to the conclusion that parties are so evenly balanced as to render it.impossible te say which possesses the confidence of the Legislature. Under these circumstances, His Excellency thinks that the benefit of the doubt should be given to those in office. He has sent for the AttorneyGeneral, Mr. Whitaker, to reconstruct the Government, and the Hinemoa leaves to-night to bring Mr. Whitaker to Wellington.

CHRISTCHUECH, Saturday.

Last night's Star says: — "We hear that a cable message has been received by a prominent politician of this island informing him that Sir Julius Vogel is preparing for an early visit to New Zealand. The reason assigned is that Sir Julius thinks the present political situation is favorable for carrying out a some-time favorite idea of his of re-entering the arena of colonial politics.

The Auckland Star says :— " It is understood chat should His Excellency call upon him to form a Cabinet, which is, as yet, quite uncertain, Sir George will only accept on the distinct condition that a dissolution shall be granted him if he should require it. The condition will be made on the ground that the measures he will submit will be quite new to the country, and will be of such importance as to warrant the special verdict of the constituencies."