§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt is with the deepest regret that I have to inform the House that I have not found myself any longer able to resist the appeals made to me by my right hon. friend the Member for Dover that he might be permitted to resign his office. The ground of his resignation is not ill-health, though I frankly admit that I do not believe that he would be at present able to support all the labours and all the anxieties of a great administrative office. His principal 432 reason is that he is of opinion that the controversy which has recently taken place both within and outside these walls has greatly impaired, if not wholly destroyed, the value of the work which he could do in the office he has so long held. On the merits of that controversy I propose to say nothing, though there are parts of it on which I retain a very strong opinion. But with regard to the effect it has had upon my right hon. friend's usefulness he, and he alone, must be the judge; and, reluctant as I am to yield to his desires, I feel that when they are pressed on such grounds as these it is impossible for me longer to resist them. I ought, perhaps, to add that my right hon. friend is not able to be present to do what is usual on these occasions—to make his own statement in explanation to the House, and I earnestly trust—and I am sure hon. Gentlemen on all sides of the House will agree with me in wishing—he may soon be sufficiently restored to give fully that explanation which I have I only imperfectly outlined.