MR WARD'S POSITION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7656, 15 June 1896, Page 3

MR WARD'S POSITION.

|SP : HIS RESIGNATION FROM THE Jfc 4 : . CABINET CERTAIN. ?fcf ■- a personal explanation to be ; \. :, ■ MADE. 1% COMMITTEEOF ENQUIRY TO g|j"- BE SET UP. ft-t-' V LFrom dull Parliamentary Reporter.] i?~-~' '■ . " ■ Wellington, to-day. ■' ' Nothing bat Mr Ward's position has been .; talked of since the Treasurer's return from : ■'/ ■ the South,; ; '■ • : .On his arrival -yesterday he was met by all -. his colleagues, except Messrs Hall- Jones and Cadman,.and by a large number of members of Parliament, but the reception was in marked contrast to that extended to him / something less than a year ago, when the Treasurer came baok from London, and singularly enough he also landed on that occasion on Jervois Quay. The afternoon and evening were spent by Mr Ward and wife at the Premier's residence, and no doubt the position waß fully and earnestly talked over. It is now announced, apparently on authority, that Mr Ward will resign from the Cabinet, but will make a statement to the House as a private member. (The five Government supporters who last week wrote to Mr Seddon demanding that Mr Ward, should be retired from the '--■_ Ministry, express their intention of remain- ..'" ing away from this afternoon's caucus, and '■- evidence is not wanting in other directions of dissension in the Ministerial 'fold. From 'an ' Opposition source I learn that unless Mr Ward's resignation is. announced before the House meets to-morrow, Captain Russell will at once table a resolution that the - Ministry as at present constituted has not the confidence of the country. Mr Seddon and other members of the Government were anxious to stick loyally to Mr Ward, and it was only in deference to * ' the pronounced opinion of their supporters that they have asked him to resign his position. - '. Certain leading officials of the Bank of New Zealand are certain to be attacked, and with respect to the President, Mr Watson, it is pointed out that under section 46 of the Bank of New Zealand and Banking Aci his appointment was for a period during good behaviour and efficiency, and that he shall be removable by the Governor in Council in ttie terms of the appointment.

Tke Government profess to fear nothing from a complete investigation of their connection with banking matters, and will take the bull by the horns by asking Parliament to Bet up a Select Committee to enquire into the whole question, with power to call for papers and witnesses. A fund has been provided here by a number of local shareholders who propose taking further proceedings in another Court against the Colonial Bank directors, and it ia. stated that the matter will be pushed forward. Should Judge Williams' judgment be favorable to the liquidators, Mr Young, Who represents the Wellington shareholders, hopes to induce the liquidators to take the initiative in the matter..

Ibis conceded on all Bides that Captain Russell made a false move in not tabling an adverse resolution on the day Parliament opened. Had he done so the' Treasurer would have been forced to resign at the dictation of the Opposition. As it is his retirement may. be considered voluntary, at the wish of the Liberal party. Latkb.— Tho decision not having been given by judge Williams, the position remains unchanged, and the probabilities are that the Caucus will be told that pending its delivery Mr Ward's resignation is in abey-