The Liberal Party’s caucus was held the following day. Mr. Ballance, who was immediately voted to the chair as a mark of recognition of his leadership, briefly congratulated the party on its unity, saying that it was now a party of Liberals all through, and it was almost the first occasion on which the party had been constituted on clearly defined party lines. The vacant Speakership of the House was discussed, and it was agreed to nominate Sir William Steward, one of the staunchest members of the party, as the Liberal candidate.
It was over this election of Speaker that the first division after the notable election of 1890 took place. As the question involved no consideration of principle outside of party politics, it was a clear case of the Conservative Government against the Liberal Government.
Mr. Seddon was asked to propose Sir William Steward, and he did so in a few words, briefly recounting Sir William’s services to his party and the country since he entered Parliament in 1871.
The division gave the following figures:—
| Sir William Steward | ... | ... | 37 |
| Mr. Rolleston | ... | ... | 30 |
| Liberal Marjority | ... | ... | 7 |
A few minutes later, Mr. Mitchelson announced to the House that the Government had resigned, and Mr. Ballance stated that he had already been asked by the Governor to form a new Ministry. Four days later, Mr. Ballance was able to inform the House that he had been successful in his task, and that the following members would be the Governor’s advisers:—
Mr. W. P. REEVES, Minister for Education and Justice.
Mr. SEDDON, Minister for Public Works, Mines, and Defence.
Sir PATRICK BUCKLEY, Attorney-General, Colonial Secretary, and Postmaster-General.
