bound by the opinions of the Auckland Liberal Association, and said that he, as leader of the Government, would accept only such proposals as were good for the whole country. He reminded them that it was his function to lead the party of which he was the head, and he made them clearly understand that while he held that position he would decline to be led by any section of the people. The declaration came brusquely and very unexpectedly, but it was received with a good deal of thankfulness by the party generally, which felt that Mr. Seddon had displayed political bravery as well as common sense.
In Auckland he had a long interview with Sir George Grey, who followed up the advice in his telegrams by telling him that he had the largest claim to be allowed to form a Ministry, and that the party must give him a fair trial.
The strange old man who had led the Liberal Party first to a glorious victory and then to a disastrous defeat; who had come into politics amidst the plaudits of a young nation and surrounded by troops of enthusiastic supporters; who had stood on the floor of the House a few years later and described himself as a “lone and unfriended man”; and who had called Mr. Seddon into politics, now told him not to hesitate on the threshold of a new and a greater career.
There was another claimant to the position, or at any rate, one who was put forward by some Liberals and many Conservatives as being more fitted than Mr. Seddon, and it was suggested that Mr. Seddon should undertake the duties for a short time and then retire in favour of his rival. Against this course, however, Sir George Grey strongly advised him. “You must not take the position tentatively, or as an experiment,” he said, “but you must hold office as long as you have the confidence of the House and the country.”
The Cabinet decided that new Ministers should be created, and the reconstructed Government was gazetted as follows;—
Mr. SEDDON, Premier, Minister for Public Works, Mines, and Defence.
Sir PATRICK BUCKLEY, Attorney-General, Colonial Secretary, and Minister for Mines.[errata 1]
Mr. W. P. REEVES, Minister for Education and Labour, and Commissioner of Stamps.
