The Ministerial Crisis in England.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2013, 5 January 1887, Page 2

The Ministerial Crisis in England.

The resignation of Lord Randolph Churchill is the exciting topic in all political circles not only in the United Kingdom, but also in continental Europe. There, quite as much as in the colonies, the event seems to have come upon all parties as a surprise. For, though it was known that Lord Salisbury had felt it necessary to impose some restraint on his impetnons colleague, no one outside the Cabinet snspected that the relations between them were in any way strained. It now appears, however, that considerable friction must have existed for some time past ; and, as usually happens in snob cases, the real cause of the discord is not the one in the first instance assigned. The reason stated tor his resignation by Lord Churchill himself was a divergence on his part from the views of his chief on the subject of srmy and navy estimates, cnlmir.atiug in a refusal by the former to embody them in his Budget. The position hitherto maintained by the late Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the condition of foreign affairs rendered it incredible that he should consider these affairs to have at present so assuring an aspect as to warrant Britain in neglecting her armaments. The cine to the real occasion of his relirement from office was contained in the expression cf his dissatisfaction with the legislative programme of the Conservatives. It is now understood that the subject of local self government was the bone of contention between him and Lord Salisbury. On that point there was all along reason for believing that their views were not in sympathy, and it would seem that they latterly besame quite irreconcilable. The particular points at variance are cot staled, but it may be assumed that Lord Churchill, in formulating a policy for Ireland, would be less disposed than Lord Salisbury to conciliate the Liberal Unionist party. This may fairly be inferred from Lord Salisbury's renewed proposal for a coalition Ministry, and the re-expression ol his readiness to accord to the Marquis of llartington the position of Premier. Put whatever cancel may have contributed to the rupture in the Conservative Cabinet, there can be no doubt that the resignation of Lord Churchill bae seriously impaired its strength, as well aa the influence of his party.