THE MINISTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 957, 4 July 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE MINISTRY.

SIR HARRY ATKINSON TO REMAIN IN OFFICE. Sir Harry Atkinson’s bad health having recently necessitated hia virtual retirement from active work of any kind in the House, a meeting of “ members who usually support the Government ” was held in the Parliamentary Buildings at 10.30 last Friday morning “to consider business of import*

ance and urgency.” The following gentlemen were present:—Sir Maurice O’Rorke, Sir Harry Atkinson, Sir John Hall, Messrs Arthur, Allen, Bsatham, Barron, Bruce, Bryce, Buchanan, Carroll, Cowan, Dodson, Fergus, Fish, Dr 'Hodgkinson, Fulton, Goldie, Hamlin, Humphreys, HLlop, Hobbs, Izard, Lawry, Menteath, Macarthur, Scobie Mackenzie, T. Mackenzie, Mitchelson, Moat, Marohant, McGregor, O’Conor, Ormond, Peacock, Pyke, Rhodes, G. F. Richardson, Captain Russell, Ross, Seymour, Downie Stewart, Taipua, Tanner, T. Thompson, R. Thompson, Valentine,- Whyte, Wilson, and Withy. Mr Fulton was voted to the chair. In addition to these 51 members four others —Dr Newman, Mr Monk, Mr Saunders and Mr Anderson—were “ accounted for,” bringing up the total to 55, from whiah, of oourse, the Speaker is to be deduoted.

Before the actual business of considering what the Premier should be asked to do was proceeded with, Mr Fish urged that the Government should obtain supplies and go to the country forthwith, and he hinted that it might be better that he should not remain at the meeting in view of that objection. The question was not further discussed, however, the Premier asking members who did not feel that they really were with the party not to stay. Subsequently Messrs Tanner and Barron also appeared to favour a dissolution.

. The Premier began the proceedings by saying that he had been compelled to call the party together in consequeuce of the condition of his health. By persevering he was able to pull through last session, but at the end of it he absolutely broke down, and now he was unable to go on with the active work of the Premiership. His illness, so the dootor told him, was nervous exhaustion ; the arteries having become hardened and inelastic, his heart had more work required of it, and he might, if he persisted in exciting or hard work, be at any time stricken with paralysis or apoplexy. On Wednesday, for instance, his medical advisers said they would not be responsible for his life if he read the Financial Statement. In view of these circumstances, he desired to place himselt unreservedly in the hands of the party, and was willing to do anything he oonld for it and the country, or toasßist in maintaining good government. It was open to him either to send in his resignation or to remain nominal head of the Ministry, advising his colleagues ; and in either way he was willing to do what the party wished". Asked what his own wish was, Sir Harry said it was hardly fair to ask him that after the explanation he had just given. He then retired, leaving the party to decide the question.

Sir Maurice O’Rorke and Mr Hamlin (Chairman of Committee) also left the room, the former first explaining that he had only attended as an expression of sympathy with the Premier’s illness, and could not be ex pected to take any part in political questions. He hoped that rest would restore the Premier’s health, and enable him to once more give his services to the advantage of the country.

Mr Tanner said he was loyal to the party, and would in this matter do what the others decided upon, but he reserved tho liberty of acting as he might think fit on questions on which he might differ from the Government.

Mr Macarthur thought the meeting should be informed which of the remaining members of the Government would lead the House, because on the Government’s decision in that respect his action to some extent would depend. Mr Pyke moved that -Sir Harry Atkinson should be asked to retain his position as Premier, only refraining from personal and active services in the House, in consequence of the state of his health.

Mr Scobie Mackenzie, while he was quite wiiling to assist the party, thought it was hardiy doing a kindness to the Premier to ask him to remain in office. The Colonial Secretary explained with respect to a remark that had been made about Sir Harry Atkinson being “ nominally” Premier, that the expression was unfortunate, because the Premier would actually be the head of the party, always at hand with advice and assistance, and, as often as possible, with his presence. The Native Minister (Mr Mitchelson) in answer to a question as to who was to lead the House, said it was a matter for the Cabinet to consider, and that events would develop themselves in a few days. Mr Bryce said he would cordially assist t give effect to the proposal, although the party took a great responsibility in asking the Premier to take the position suggested. Mr Barron thought too much was being asked of Sir Harry Atkinson, and that the country should have an active Premier who could take his place as leader of the House. After further discussion the motion was carried with one dissentient, Mr Barron.

In the House on Friday afternoon the Native Minister intimated, in answer to Mr Ballanae, that the Premier would probably make a statement that evening or on Tues* day.

The Premier (the debate on the Registration of Electors Bill having been interrupted) made a short statement at 5 o’clock. He thanaed the House for the consideration it had shown him in his position, tyhioh hitherto had been an anomalous one, because he had been unable to attend the Address iaReply debate. The circumstances had been very peculiar, howeusp, and it bad not been possible for him to finally decide what was the right course for Lim to pureqe until that day, so that he would take the -first opportunity of telling the~ House what he proposed to do. The House was already aware that he unfortunately, been unwell, and his mndieal advisers said it would be absolutely dangerous for him to enter into any exciting debate, He naturally thought it would be proper for hipj to resign, but on consultation wits bis friends he found thpy were very averse to his doing so. He would, therefore, propose to retain the Premiership, and he WAg going (*£ fcalß House to grant him the extraordinary indulgence of allowing|him to be absent from the ohief debate*. He would generally superin-

tend the work of the Government, but he could not take upon himself any work which would te dangerous in his present state of health. He was quite aa capable of doing work as ever he was, for a short time, if it was not of an exciting nature. He there, fore trusted that the House would indulge him to that extent until his health was restored. In conclusion, he asked members to believe that it was far from his desire to escape work. (Cheers.) Mr Ballance said the Opposition were not unprepared for this announcement, so far as the Premier’s illness was concerned, and he desired to eay that members on his side of the House extended their warmest sympathy to the hon gentleman, and trusted that hie illness would not be aggravated by the public business, but that ho would soon be restored to health. (Cheers.) He should take another opportunity pf-referring to, the arrangement which had been made*, but he was quite sure that the indulgence asked by the Premier, so far as affected his personalconvenience and health, would readily beextendsd by every member of the House (Cheeis.)

Mr W. P. Reeves asked whether the Premier would continue to be leader of the House, or would one of his colleagues be appointed to that position 1 The Premier said he should be the nqmi. nal leader of the House, and the responsibility would rest on him. With the indulgence of the House he should not be present at the great debates—the Native Minister would, temporarily take hia place.