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New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6362, 8 April 1882, Page 4

It may be expected that in a few days the Premier will tender to His Excellency tho Governor his resignation. No ditt'crence.s have taken place amongst Ministers, nor indeed has there been any other cause for Mr. Hall's resolve to retire from otlice than the impaired state of his health. li is inscrutable, why in a ease of this kind the resignation of the Premier should involve that of his colleagues. It is true, that if ho have, a difierenee with them, and determines to throw up the reins, that according to all constitutional precedent entails the retirement of his colleagues. I!ut it will bo obvious that the projected retirement j of Mr. Hall, arising as it does from an entirely diil'erent cause, and not comprising any question of dissension or policy, is not on all fours with (his ease," but on the contrary is widely different from it. Common sense, we think, is in favour of reconstruction instead of the resignation of the whole Cabinet. So far as the country is concerned the manner in which the change of Premiership be c.Tected is a matter of no moment ; but us it is impossible, to see all the consequences of a false step, it would In. , a cause for regret, and a bad precedent might be established if the resignation of the Cabinet were to be tendered were reconstruction to be, the more proper course. It appears to us that Mr. ] Tail's course should be this: That he should tender his own resignation, when the Governor would seek for advice, as to his successor, when he would mention the name of Major Atkinson, on whose acceptance, of the Premiership His Excellency would, with his advice, eonlirm tho other incumbents of ollice in their various posts, or with such variations as Major Atkinson might suggest. Were this

not the procedure it would be necessary in every other colony but this for Ministers to seek re-election, though none of the circumstances existed on which such an appeal to tho constituencies is based. lii this colony Ministers do not

go for re-election on their acceptance of office, but that cannot be doomed a variation which makes the resignation of the Premier necessary, also that of his colleagues, but quite the contrary. According to constitutional procedure resignation involves a question of policy within the Cabinet or of confidence as regards Parliament or the eounfry, and neither arises in this case. We assume Mr. Mall's retirement may be treated as a certainty, because otherwise he. would not have allowed the matter to go so far, and further because the cause, ill-health, appears iu no way to have abated. Xo doubt his own opinion and that of his colleagues I lias favoured a resignation thus early ' that liis successor may iiavc time to settlo down in the saddle and the Cabinet be able to meet Parliament with everything ship-shape. Mr. flail would be the last man who would be likely to be wanting in this consideration for his colleagues. It will be observed that we have confidently assumed the replacement of Mr. Hall byMajor Atkinson, and we have no doubt that the result, will bear us out. Major Atkinson is one of the strongest members of the Government, and has, like the Premier, a great capacity for work, and he will certainly not have much time to spare if. as may be presumed, he retain in his hands the management of the finances, in the conduct of which lie lias been so successful as Largely to increase his reputation as a public man. Major Atkinson has many qualifications for the more responsible position he is destined to fill, and that fitness would bo further increased if before quitting oflice Mr. Mall would transmit to his colleague a little of the tact and amenity which are amongst the most conspicuous and valuable of his qualifications for oJlice. Major Atkinson will not take it amiss that in no inimical spirit we ofler a hint, the adoption of which would remove many a difliculty from his path. Doubtless, a. sense of the responsibility attaching to the position of head of the Government and leader of the House which he will now occupy for the second time, will induce the suavity which has insured for Mr. Hall the kindly regard of men of all shades of opinion.