MR HISLOP RESIGNS HIS SEAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1973, 12 September 1889, Page 15

MR HISLOP RESIGNS HIS SEAT.

A WRIT FOR THE OAMARU SEAT TO

ISSUE.

(Fhom Oub Special Coebespondent.)

Wellington, September S.

If to-day has not been a day big with fate, it has certainly been a day big with sensation, for we have had within the last 12 hours the acceptance of the resignation of a Minister of the Crown, the resignation of a member of the House, the ordering of a new writ to issue for the vacant seat, and a motion intercepting supply which the Government have deemed it proper to accept as a motion of no confidence.

Early in the day it was known that the Cabinet had accepted Mr Hislop's resignation, and that the late Colonel Secretary had determined to resign his seat in the House. He leaves to-day for Oamaru, and addresses a public meeting there probably on Wednesday or Thursday next. 'As a matter of fact, I understand that Mr Hislop, who was in the Chamber at an early hour this morning,' arrived at this determination before retiring to rest, so that the House was not at all unprepared for the Speaker's announcement' at 2 30. What was expected, however, was that there would be a pretty warm discussion on the action of Mr Fergus in the Ward- Christie affair, or as one member expressed himself to me — " There will be a fierce onslaught on Fergus." That, however, did not come off, and, on the other hand, members, with 'one exception, were most kind and sympathetic in their allusions to the departed Minister, and exceedingly courteous to each other. Sir G. Grey, usually so ready to find fault and complain of maladministration, in this case took quite a different tone, and although he cannot be said to have much affection for the present occupants of the Treasury benches, he said that he really could not feel it in his mind to condemn them for their action in the Ward affair. Indeed, there seemed to be quite a revulsion of feeling so far as "Vfr Hislop was concerned, and the House appeared to be in sackcloth and ashes at his retirement. The feeling certainly grows that however indiscreet he may have been in the matter, he has paid the penalty for greater eina which he has not alone been guilty of. The. angry feeling against Mr Fergus, who is held by many to be equally deserving of punishment, has not subsided during the day. ladeed, theeytapatby which was showing itself for Mr Hialop appeared to aot in tb,e direction of accentuating the anger against Mr Fergus, and it? was not autpriaing, therefore, \>H% tfca motion foy going

into committee of supply should he intercepted by an amendment calling in question the action of the Minister of Justice in the matter. The amendment moved by Mr Grimmond, if moved I by the leader of the Opposition, could only have been treated in the manner in which Sir H. A. Atkinson has treated it, but coming from one of the rank and file, it was hardly necessary to regard it so seriously. There is very strong comment on the attitude assumed bj Mr Ballance in tbe matter, and perhaps, after all, Sir Harry was right . to put his foot down and refuse to proceed with business so long as such nagging attacks were made upon him. If the Opposition really desired to censure the Minister of Justice or the Government, surely, members are saying, tbe proper man to lead that censure is the leader of the Opposition. There is a kind of firing from behind the hedge appearance about the attack that is not creditable to Mr Ballance. The House rose at 8 o'clock, and five minutes afterwards all the excitement was ;over, and the lobby, usually so crowded and excited npon the tabling of a noconfidence amendment, quickly emptied, now presents an almost deserted appearance. Mr Hislop left at 3 o'clock this afternoon, Mr Pyke and Judge Ward being fellow passengers. A number of members of the House assembled on thß wharf, and three hearty cheers were given as the steamer moved away. Ib is rumoured that the vacancy in the Cabinet will not be filled, and that if Mr Hislop is returned for Oamaru he will be reappointed to the portfolios he has now resigned. I give the rumour for what ib may be worth. On the other hand it is stated the members of the Government have so much work on hand that they will find ib absolutely necessary to appoint one, if not two, fresh colleagues in order that arrears of work may be overtaken, and in this connection the names of Captain Russell and Mr Fulton are prominently mentioned as furnishing the probable successor.

September 8. Mr Jellicoe has, I believe, definitely decided to try conclusions with Mr Hislop by standing for the Oamaru seat. Mr Jellicoe, I believe, affects that his candidature is to be regarded in the light of a protest on behalf of the profession of which he is a member at the action of the late Colonial Secretary in interfering with the administration of justice, but those who know Mr Jellicoe wink slyly, and remark that no man in the colony better understands the art of advertising than that gentleman himself. I am told that Mr Jellicoe has been put up by the Opposition to oppose Mr Hislop. Mr Jellicoe had a long interview with Sir Robert Stout yesterday, and this is mentioned as corroborative of the suggestion that the Opposition are at the bottom of Mr Jellicoe's candidature. There is no denying the fact that Mr Jellicoe is an exceedingly energetic, smart, and able lawyer, and I think it will be found that he is up to every electioneering, more so that Mr Hialop is bound to have a very warm -opponent. Mr Jellicoe's candidature is said to throw some light on an occurrence during the hearing of the libel case Bell v. Jellicoe last week. On the day Mr Hislop was leaving for Oamaru the defendant in the action issued a subpoena to the late Colonial Secretary commanding his attendance at the Supreme Court to give evidence. Neither Mr Hislop, his friends, or anyone else— Mr Jellicoe excepted — knew what on earth he was subpoenaed for. As the hour at which Mr Hislop's steamer was to sail was approaching he became very anxious to get his examination over in order that he might not miss the boat. Mr Hislop beseeched Mr Jellicoe to call him, but the latter, with many expressions of regret that his friend Mr Hislop should be in any way inconvenienced, declined to jeopardise his case by calling one of his witnesses out of his turn. In despair, Mr Hislop sought the aid of the opposing counsel (Sir Robert Stout), who called Mr Hislop, but of course had nothing to get out of him. It would now appear that in view of his own intended candidature, Mr Jellicoe had subpoenaed Mr Hislop in order to keep him, if possible, from getting away, and so getting a week's start of him at Oamarn. September 9.

Sir Robert Stout was a passenger for the South to-day. I understand that he in no way encourages Mr Jellicoe's candidature for the Oamaru seat; on the other hand, I am informed by a Minister that he has expressed his intention of doing what he can to secure Mr Hislop's return. I was unable to see Sir Robert Stout this afternoon, so cannot confirm this statement one way or the other. In regard to Mr Jellicoe's meditated candidature, I hear that since the announcement thut several local men are in the field he has reconsidered the matter, and has determined not to contest the seat unless all other candidates retire. It is stated that negotiations are proceeding with a view to reducing the contest to a duel between Mr Jellicoe and the late Colonial Secretary, and that the Opposition, or prominent members of the party, are endeavouring to bring about this result. I have since heard that the local candidates will not retire, and that therefore Mr Jellicoe has determined not to contest the seat.

Oamabtt, September 7,

Mr T. W. Hislop arrived in Oamaru this evening from the North, and was met at the railway station by a large crowd. The reception was a good one, amongst much cheering there being only a" few groans. The City Band had been asked to turn out and played at the railway station. A requisition was presented to Mr Hislop signed by over 200 electors, expressing satisfaction with his conduct and confidence in him as a candidate. In reply to the remarks made by the gentleman who presented the requisition, Mr Hislop said he would address the electors on Wednesday night, when he would deal solely with the constitutional aspect of the question that had led to his retirement from the Ministry and of his action in connection with the matter. He said that public opinion, as far as he could judge, had changed considerably since the time the Christie affair had been brought before the House, and he thought his conduct in connection with that matter was now looked upon in a different light. After making a few other remarks, he thanked those present for the pleasant recep1 ion they had given him, and the proceedings terminated.

September 8.

Mr Hislop will be opposed by Mr W. H. Frith, who stood at the last election, and probably Mr David Dunn, the mayor of the town, who has promised to stand if requisitioned. ,Mr Jellicoe, of Wellington, will also be a candidate, it is said, but his candidature is not looked upon as other than a joke in face of the fact that three local men will contest the seat.

(From Oub Own Correspondent.)

Oamabtt, September 8

Mr Hislop arrived from Wellington last night and met with an enthusiastic reception from hundreds of electors who were waiting to receive him at the railway station. As the train moved up to the passenger platform cheer after cheer greeted him. Me John H. Barr, ia a few appropriate words, welcomed Mr Hialop to Oamaru, and then presented a numerously-signed requisi* turn, patttooiata of which I wired to you on Friday. Mr Bislop* in addressing Mr Barr and the large number of citfceas present, qaid b,e had

had the satisfaction of 'finding sympathy in unexpected quarters and in unexpected abundance. Not only members of the House, but many others in Wellington, complimented him on the amount of backbone which he had shown during the ' attacks upon him and upon the course which he had adopted in order to explain and defend his position. He had noticed that a newspaper had promised an interesting combat of mud throwing, but he could assure them that with their help he would disappoint such expectations. He intended to discuss a constitutional question, and he would keep personal matters in the background. He would endeavour to show that, in attempting to uphold what he conceived to be an important principle, he had acted throughout honestly and fair. He had endeavoured to act throughout a trying time with the spirit which one ought to evince who occupied the position which ho had dove, and who wished to keep a clear issue before the people ; he would continue to do so by keeping, as far as possible, all personal matters in the background. He had no doubt that after he had addressed them they would be prepared to say that he had dons nothing to disgrace them, but had so acted as to deserve from them a continuance of the confidence which had during so many years been reposed by them in him. The step which he had taken had not been taken without grave consideration, and it caused him much pain to take it ; but if the result of the forthcoming election was what this reception indicated, it would justify his action in its broad features, and compensate him for the pain to which he had been subjected, he believed unjustly. During his speech Mr Hislop was cheered frequently, and at its conclusion he was accompanied as far as his hotel by a large concourse of people, headed by the City Band. On arrival at the hotel Mr Hislop had to submit to a great deal of hand shaking.