MINISTERIAL DISAGREEMENTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 895, 27 February 1879, Page 2

MINISTERIAL DISAGREEMENTS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION). Wellington, Feb. 20.

There is a serious split in the Cabinet over Mr. Luckie's appointment. It was decided in the Cabinet to oiler him the appointment, and Sir George Grey did not approve of it, but was in a minority of one. He, however, did not at the time express himself very strongly, and in due course the appointment was offered to, and accepted by. Mr. Luckie. Then Sir George Grey, the Premier, claimed the right to veto the appointmentAltogether, two or three stormy scenes have taken place on the subject in the Cabinet within the last day or two. Sir G. Grey is supported now by Mr. Sheehan, but all the other Ministers are against him. It is understood that Messrs. Stout, Ballance, Whit more, and Macandrew were within an ace of resigning, but have since determined not to do so yet, but to fight the matter out. The Chronicle to-night says :—" It is understood that the subject has been before the Cabinet several times recently, and that the differences of opinion expressed have been such as to leave little prospect of an amicable agreement being arrived at. It is understood that Messrs. Ballance, Stout, Macamlrcw, Whitmore, and Fisher are in favor of confirmint: Mr. Luckie's -appointment, while Sir G." Grey and Mi-. Sheehan are against doing so. That shows a majontvin favor of the appointment, but Sir G. Grey, it is stated, claims the right to veto, as Premier of the Ministry, this. As the case at present stands there is an undoubted split in the Cabinet on this subject, which threatens to result in the withdrawal from the Ministry of Messrs Stout and Ballance, and possibly also Mr. Macandrew, should Sir Gr. Grey maintain his present attitude. It will-be a most regrettable circumstance if the question of°re\varding a professional office-seeker like Mr. Luckie should lead to a rupture in the Cabinet, We trust that temperate counsels will prevail, and a rupture bo avoided. This important point, however, remains to be considered. It is alleged that Sir G. Grey in the first instance assented to Mr. Luckie's appointment, and that the anointment was also agreed upon in Cabim-t Council. If this be the case Sir G. Grey i.s entirely in the wrong to go back upon his colleagues, and refuse to "confirm t ie appointment after they have undoubtedly made it. We do not care a straw whether Mr. Luckie does or does not get the appointment, but the really important question is this—Shall the country be governed by a constitutional Ministry, or by the despotic will of SirG. Grey. The action of Sir G. Grey in this matter savors of the most arbitrary despotism. He virtually says to his colleagues—' If I choose to agree to a certain thing in Cabinet, and afterwards change my mind you must submit to my supreme will, no matter how much you stand committed to a certain action, and stultify yourselves at my bidding.' Men possessed of self-respect and independence will hardly submit to such dictation."