Fuller Particulars of Mr. Ballance's Resignation.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 825, 3 July 1879, Page 2

Fuller Particulars of Mr. Ballance's Resignation.

[By Telegraph.]

On Friday afternoon, while engaged with Mr. Gavin Undersecretary of the Treasury, Mr. Ballance received a message that the Premier wished to see him. Asking Mr. Gavin to wait, Mr. Ballance went to the Premier's room. After about a quarter of an hour Sir George Grey rushed out of his room m a most excited state, crossed the room and entered Mr. Fox's room oposite, slamming both doors after him. A few seconds after Mr. Ballance emerged from the room trembling with suppressed excitement, and apparently restrained by Mr. Sheehan, whose hand was on his shoulder. Mr. Sheehan went back, and Mr. Ballance went into his own room. It has since transpired that what took place m the room was this — Sir George Grey had before him the Treasury departmental draft estimates, as prepared by Mr. Ballance. Heretofore, since Sir Julius Vogel'a time, the salary of Mr. E. Fox has been charged to the Treasury, as confidential Secretary to the Treasurer, but as a matter of fact My. Fox has long ceased to have any

connection with either the Treasurer or the Treasury, being confidential secretary to the Cabinet and the Premier. In preparing his departmentalestimates, Mr. Ballance struck Mr. Fox out of the Treasury, and put him down at the same salary as Secretary to the Cabinet. When Mr. Ballauce came into the Premier's room, Mr. Sheehan, being also present, Sir George, pointing to the transfer of items, said to Mr. Ballance, "If this kind of thing is to be done I shall take the Treasury into my own hands." Mr Ballance attempted to explain his reasons, but Sir George refused to listen, and told Mr Ballance he was not to talk to him, but to do as he was told. Mr Ballance replied that he understood it to be the duty of every Minister to prepare his own departmental estimates for submission to the Cabinet. If the Premier (Sir George Grey) chose to charge Mr Fox's salary to a department with which Mr Fox had no connection, he (Mr Ballance) of course could not object. Sir George Grey declared that this was an insult to Mm as Premier ; that he would not be talked to ; and some further strongly condemnatory language addressed to Mr Ballance, the Premier said "Leave the room, sir." Mr Ballance, although excited, was calm, and said he certainly would not leave the room. He had been sent for, and as long as he was a member of the Ministry he would certainly claim the right of free discussion with all his colleagues, from the Premier downwards. Mr Sheehan interfered, and tried to throw oil on the troubled waters, but without effect, Sir George Grey declared that if Mr Ballance did not leave the room he would send for a messenger and have him forcibly ejected. Mr Ballance declined to move if all the messengers m the buildings were summoned. Where-upon Sir George Grey rose and said he would not stay m that or any room with Mr Ballance, and he rushed out as already detailed. Since Friday the other Ministers have been trying to make up the matter, and it is understood that the Premier was willing to make a sort of apology to Mr Ballance, but the latter feeling it was impossible to remain m the Ministry after what had occurred, put all his papers m order this morning, and then sent m his resignation.