REPORTED SPLIT IN THE CABINET.
The " Daily Times," received the following by telegraph on Thursday from its Wellington correspondent : — There is a serious split in the Cnbinet over Mr Luckie's appointment. It was decided in Cabinet to offer him the appointment, and Sir Geotge Grey did not approve Df 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, as Premier, claimed the right to veto the appointment altogether. Two or three stormy scenes have taken place on the subject in Cabinet within the last day or two. Sir George Grey is supported now by Mr Sheehan, but all the other Ministers are against him. It is understood that Messrs Stout, Ballauce, Whitmore, 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 it. It is understood that Messrs Ballance, Stout, Macandrew, Whitmore, and Fisher are in favour of confirming Mr Luckie's appointment, while Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan are against doing so. That shows a majority in favour of the appointment, but Sir George Grey it is stated, claims a right to veto as Premier of the Ministry. Thus the case at present stands. There is an undoubted split in the Cabinet on this subject, which threatens to result iv the withdrawal from the Ministry of Messrs Stout and Ballance, and possibly, also of Mr Macandrew, should Sir Geerge Grey maintain his present attitude. It will be a most regretable circumstance if the question of rewarding an office-seeker like Mr Luckie should lead to a rupture in the Cabinet. We trust that temperate counsels will prevail, and a rupture be avoided. This important point, however, remains to be considered. It is alleged that Sir George Grey, in the first instance, assented to Mr Luckie's appointment, and that the appointment was also agreed upon in Cabinet Council. If this be the case, Sir George Grey is entirely in the wrong to 'go bark' upon his colleagues, and refuse to confirm the 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 Sir George Grey ? The action of Sir George Grey in this matter savours of the most arbitrary despotism. He virtually pays to his colleagues — ' If I choose to agree to a certain thing in the Cabinet and afterwards change my mind, you must submit to my supreme will, no matter how much you stand committed to certain action, and stultify yourselves at my bidding.' Men possessing self-respect and independence will hardly submit to such dictation."
Another Wellington telegram, bearing Friday's date, says:— At the Cabinet meeting to-day, Sir George Grey gave way about Mr Luckie, who will therefore be gazetted to-morrow — salary, £600.
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Bibliographic details
Tuapeka Times, Volume XII, Issue 506, 1 March 1879, Page 3
Word Count
549REPORTED SPLIT IN THE CABINET. Tuapeka Times, Volume XII, Issue 506, 1 March 1879, Page 3
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