UNVEILING OF THE BALLANCE STATUE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1354, 10 February 1898, Page 17

UNVEILING OF THE BALLANCE STATUE.

SPEECH BY SLR ROBERT STOUT. HIS REASONS FOR RESIGNING. Wanganui, February 3. The Ballance statue was unveiled by Sir Robert Stout in the presence of a large assemblage of people in the Queen’s Gardens this afternoon. Sir Robert was very much affected when he began to touch upon the personal aid lifelong friendship that had existed between himself and his deceased friend. He spoke in highly eulogistic terms of Mr Ballance as a man and a statesman, and gave a resume of his political views. Responding to a vote of thanks, he made a public announcement with regard to his resignation, which he said he intended to place in the hands of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in a few days. He said he was resigning purely for private reasons and in the interests of his family. He would not have attended to this personal matter had he not seen that his motive in resigning had been misrepresented. He had made no bargain with anyone. He recognised, and he hoped the people of the colony would ever recognise, that no one should enter politics to make money. That would set up a dry rot in Democracy. He remained as he had been for some years an opponent of the Ministry. It had been said he and his partners would now obtain Government work. So far as that was concerned, the obtaining of Government work would be no gain to him, as be had executed a deed disentitling himself to anything that could or might come from that source. As to a bargain that he was to get payment from UlAf WftS ft fafaiPtiW*