THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTH CROSS. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1893.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9336, 20 October 1893, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTH CROSS. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1893.

Something like a political sensation" has been caused apparently in Wellington by the claim made by Mr. Seddou that it was him and not Sir Robert Stout whom Mr. Ballance designated on his death-bed as the leader of the Liberal party, in succession to himself. It was stated at the time that amongst the latest utterances of Mr. Ballance was a request made to Sir Robert Stout that he would enter politics and lead the Liberal party, and it was understood that it was in response to this that Sir Robert at once became a candidate for Inahgah.ua, which was then vacant. His Excellency could take no cognisance of any desire or wish of Mr. Ballance, and as a matter of procedure sent for Mr Seddon, who was a Minister, and who had been rilling the position of Acting-Premier. But undoubtedly the published statements respecting the desire of Mr. Ballance that Sir Robert Stout should be leader of the Liberal party, have been felt by Mr. Seddon as an embarrassment. These statements have led some people to look on Sir Robert a«* the virtual leader of the party, and no doubt Mr. Seddon thinks that this feeling has been the means of greatly weakening his administration through the past session. , Mr. Ballance's dying request to Sir Robert has all along been understood to mean that he, who knew Mr. Seddon intimately, had no confidence in him as fitted to lead the party or to govern the country. Probably nothing would have been said about the matter but for the events of last session, which showed that Sir Robert Stout was looked to as leader by many members. Mr. Seddon's object now is, to get rid of Sir Robert's rivalry, and to reduce him to the ranks, so that he may be compelled as a private soldier to fall into line, and be content with obeying commands. So now comes the declaration that he and he alone, is the leader of the Liberal party, and the rightful Premier, and that ho is no usurper, but claims the succession by bequeath men as well as by actual possession. He says :—"He would contradict the statement that it was the wish of his lake chief that some one other than himself should be at tho head of the Government. There was a clear understanding that he should take the lead, and Mr. Ballance gave him certain papers previous to his undergoing the operation." If so, it is very strange that Mr. Ballance should have made any request to Sir Robert Stout about return- j ! ing to political life, because he must have known that there could be no divided power. As a matter of fact, the people of the colony will not care very much who Mr. Ballance wished to be Premier. That is merely a mutter of ooiniou with any man. Probably Sir Robert Stout will not trouble himself tadispute with Mr. Seddon as to the precise import of Mr. Ballance's dying words. He will say that from the offices he has held, from the position accorded him by a large number of the representatives of the people, he is entitled to take a lead,, and to oppose the Government if he thinks fit to do so. He will certainly not be frightened from public life, or from doing what he thinks to be his duty, beoause that is inconvenient to Mr. Seddon. Certainly the Premier cannot accuse Sir Robert of any factious conduct during last session. On the contrary, he aided the Government in several important particulars, and lie refrained on many occasions when opposition from him would have seriously damaged them. In the face of this latest declaration, when it is sought to make him appear as an intruder into the party, Sir Robert will not be disposed to be so friendly in the next session.