9

A.—la

Second, as regards the influence attached to your office as Premier being prejudicially affected, wo are not aware of any occasion in which your views have been thwarted or set aside by the Cabinet. There have been the most cordial concert and mutual exchange of advice and intercourse amongst the different members of tho Executive, and in no instance known to us has there beeu any radical difference of opinion affecting your supremacy in the Cabinet. In any discussion upon minor points of administration which led to an expression of opinion, we believe that your views have been always sustained by the majority present, and approved accordingly. You state, further, that there are points of political difference between the Treasurer and yourself which render it difficult for you to work with him with satisfaction so long as his influence in the Ministry is paramount. Tou do not say what these points of difference are, except by affirming generally that Mr. Vogel is anxious for the introduction of fresh measures of policy, while you are of opinion that attention should be confined as much as possible to the work of administration. We may remind you that no question of new policy has ever yet come before the Cabinet, and that all your laudable efforts in the way of administrative reform have been unanimously approved and vigorously supported by your colleagues. Wo may also observe that should any unforeseen differences arise on the subject of the policy to bo brought before Parliament, your colleagues have neither the right nor the intention to oppose your views. Should any important and irreconcileable difference arise, it will bo for those who differ to retire ; and it is not a constitutional interpretation of your duty as Premier for you to resign. We are firmly persuaded that you are doing au injustice both to yourself and your colleagues by the anticipation of differences which may never occur; and our experience of the last four months leads us to the conclusion that every member of the Cabinet is animated by a siuccre desire to correct abuses or imperfections iv tho administratiou, and to promote to the utmost the prosperity of the country. Having thus, we hope satisfactorily, disposed of your reasons for tendering your resignation, wo beg shortly to specify general grounds which should operate on your mind in the retention of office, at least till the meeting of Parliament. First, By your resignation tho Ministry is ipso facto dissolved. This principle was affirmed both by you and Mr. Vogel at the end of last Session in your respective Houses. This taking place during the recess involves more or less awkward consequences, and these are heightened by the peculiar circumstances in which the Colony is at present. His Excellency the Governor, after a career which has called forth the approbation of his Sovereign, is upon the eve of leaving the Colony, and it is duo to his past services and to his good feeling towards the Colony that any political complication should at this conjuncture be avoided, unless absolutely imperative for the welfare of the country. It would be a source of embarrassment to the Chief Justice, Sir George Arney, during his interregnum as Acting Governor, that he should have tho onus laid upon him of arranging any new Executive; and it would be equally ill-timed that the new Governor, Sir James Fergusson, should bo on his arrival at once plunged into a sea of political trouble. In the event of the Governor thinking it desirable in the circumstances that Parliament should bo called together, such a proceeding, at an unusual and unseasonable time, would be attended with much inconvenience to the Members, and would entail an unnecessary expense of at least £10,000 to the country. Besides, in the present condition of the Government Buildings undergoing extensive additions and repairs, agreeably to the wishes of tho Assembly, there is no accommodation for the meeting of Parliament, and any temporary makeshift would lead to a further unnecessary expenditure of several thousand pounds. Iv the second place, your tendering your resignation at present, when three of our colleagues arc absent on public business and unable to afford the benefit of their counsel and advice, is placing tho whole Cabinet in an unfair position. It is due to those who are absent that no step of grave importance should be taken before their return to aid in the deliberations of tho Ministry ; and to those who are here, that they should not have most unexpectedly the duty imposed on them of having to advise His Excellency in an unprecedented position of affairs. Finally, in addition to the force of the arguments wo have used, we desire to add, in case a matter of personal feeling or sentiment should still weigh with you, that we appeal to your sense of patriotism, which should prompt you to make some little self-sacrifice. Tou have fairly and considerately undertaken a duty of importance to tho Colony which cannot be lightly laid down. There has been no unpleasantness existing either in the Executive or in the relations of the Executive and the Governor, and none need be anticipated in the future. Taking everything into consideration, and especially our willingness to accord to you all the rights and privileges of your responsible position, we trust that you will be persuaded to give up all idea of tendering your resignation at present; in which event your own political reputation will be materially enhanced, and the Colony saved a serious complication and a considerable expenditure. John Bathgate. E. EICHAEDSOX; Wellington, 21st February, 1873. G. M. O'Eobke,

No. 6. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 22.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord,— New Zealand, 15th March, 1873. I have the honor to report that on the 3rd inst. I left Wellington in the Colonial Government steamer "Luna," and reached Auckland on the sth instant. 2 A.—la