THE STORY OF A CYPHER TELEGRAM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7981, 27 September 1887, Page 2

THE STORY OF A CYPHER TELEGRAM.

Sir J. Yogel, in hiß speech at Wellington on Wednesday, told an anecdote which caused some amusement to his audience, but has been turned about in such a way as to have on the Ministry a damaging effect. He said that Major Atkinson having- received a telegram in oypher from Sir J. liall, and being unable to make out the Government cypher, asked Mr. Bryce to help him with one particular word. To the astonishment of both gentle-^ men, according to Sir J. Yogel, Mr. Bryce read, "Look after Bryce; he is not to be trusted." The actual words of the cypher telegram, however, were the. following :—": — " If Bryce does not turn over a new leaf I shall resign." Moreover, it •was Sir F. Whitaker who received the telegrum, and not Major Atkinson. When Mr. Bryce saw the telegram be said he would not stand that sort of thing. A meeting of the Cabinet was called, and the Ministry resigned in a body. The Opposition say that Sir J . Yogel garbled the actual facts and they point with an air of triumph to the fact that when the Ministers o£ that day bad a serious difference of opinion, even on the policy of one department, they resignsd in a body. The Stout-Vogel Ministry ehould have followed such an example, in their opinion.