FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1887.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 278, 25 November 1887, Page 4

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1887.

Those New Zealand politicians who believe in the elective Governor principle will doubtless point to the present position of affairs in France as proving the expediency of having the head of the State amenable to popular pressure. Briefly summarised, the cir. cumstances which have culminated jn the resignation of the President of the French Republic are these :—Revelations of corrupt practices in the War Office and other Departments of the Government of the Republic had seriously involved M. Daniel Wilson, son-in-law of the President, and this led to a popular outcry for the resignation of M. Grevy, it being considered that he was to some extent compromised by his kinsman's disgrace. With wonderful obtuseness for a man of such talents, M. Grevy declined to see the moral necessity for taking this course, and declared that his firm purpose was to retain office until his term expired—even questioning the legality of resignation. Meanwhile, the public outcry seemed likely to grow into a tumult, or even revolution, and the defeat of the Government of the day, followed by their resignation, made matters still more unsettled. Then it was that the opportunity came iov popular pressure to assert itself. Each po'iitician that was " sent for" by the President declined to undertake the task of forming a new administration unless M. Grevy first agreed to resign the Presidency. After a futile threat to elect a Cabinet himself, M. Grevy gave up the struggle and rejngned his seat,

The late President of the French Republic is a lawyer of great ability, who has long taken a leading part in the public affairs of Franco. Bom in 1807, he was old enough to take part in the Revolution of 1830, and he afterwards came to the front as a Radical leader. After the coup d'etat of Louis Napoleon, bo held alooi from politics, but in 1869 he reentered public life as a member of the Chamber of Deputies, aud three years later was elected President of the National Assembly, which post he resigned in 1873. After three years he ' again rose to that position, which he held till 1879, when, on the resignation of Marshal Macmahon, he was elected President of the Republic for seven years, by 563 votes against 99 given to his opponent. Pie had thu3 but lately entered on his second term of office.

The election of President of the French Republic rests with the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, who vote together in this important matter. It is vain to speculate as to who the next holder of the office will prove to be, but beyond doubt General Boulanger will be pushed forward to a prominent position, and in the shufljing of the cards may come to the topmost position. As showing how the French President came to be identified with the recent maladministration, it may be stated that he is no mere ornamental figurehead, like our Governor, but is the active leader of the Executive, has the command of the laiyl and sea forces, and nominates to' all Government offices. For discharging these duties he receives a salary of 600,000 fraucs per annum, with an allowance of 102,400 francs for household expenses. The recent course of affairs in France serves to show that Republican institutions are well-suited to a mercurial people, who are prone to make frequent changes of their rulers. With an elective as distinguished from a hereditary head, the change can be made without revolution, although President Grevy allowed the ship of State to drift perilously near to the breakers. This suggests that popular and direct election of Presidoiit would be more satisfactory than the present system. While political confusion and perhaps civil strife , have been averted by President Grevy's resignation, France is by no means froe from the dangers that beset her. The Imperialist party and the army will do their best to favour the election of a President who will favour a war with Germany, and will in other ways further their revolutionary schemes. The Presidential election will indirectly give an indication of the feeling of the French people on the question of peace or war, so important to the whole of Europe ; for though the crisis has been evolvel from the domestic scandals recently exposed, foreign policy has had more than a finger iv the unsavoury dish.