MR. MASSEY'S MANIFESTO.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 299, 16 December 1911, Page 8

MR. MASSEY'S MANIFESTO.

AXBfSOF HXfiVJCABXZ; -A. -SEUF-KETiIANT POIiTCY, Mr. W. F. Maasey has addressed to the, people of tie Dominion the following letter, expressing his appreciation of the support accorded to the party, at tha elections. "I desire to tender my most cordial thanks to the people of New Zealand for the splendid testimony they have accorded the Heform party by giving it a majority at the elections. ' The electors have emphatically decided that thero must be a change in the administration of the affairs of the Dominion, and they have expressed their confidence in the party that I have the honour to lead, and that has served their interests faithfully and well for many years. The Reform party has won its proud position in fair and open fight and against the whole strength of the Government which, entrenched i.n office, has command of resources and organisation denied to us.

"Much laboured effort and much paper and ink will, no doubt, be wasted in the endeavour to explain away the decisive defeat of the Government, and to belittle the victory of the Reform party, but 1 ask the electors to estimate such effusions at their true worth, and to rest assured that the Reform party will do its duty unflinchingly, that it is solidly united in the interests of the people as a whole, and that it will act when the time comes. The. people and all the people can accept together with my thanks, my assurance that the Reform' party is guarding their best interests, and that it will he found the true friend not of one but of all sections of the community. The electors, by so substantial an endorsement of our policy, have indicated their desire to place the stewardship of the commonwealth in our hands, and tits high trust will be in full consciousness of its honour and of its responsibility. "The Reform party is guided by high aims and high ideaH for the advancement of the Dominion on true Democratic lines, and it will, when the opportunity comes prove itself the true Liberal party. It is not concerned with the .vain boasts and foolish misrepresentation indulged in by its opponents; the answer will come by deeds, not words. There have been many rumours and suggestions made with reference to the Reform party's Cabinet. I have not yet arrived at the Cabinet-making stage. When I have J shall take care that all sections supporting the party are properly represented. No hasty or ill-considered steps will be taken by the men the electors have entrusted with the duty of reforming the administration of the national affairs. The Reform party trusted the people; the people may trust the Reform party. "We will not hesitate, when the time comes, to proceed with the policy outlined in our platform. It is a sound, progressive and self-reliant policy. The electors may take the assurance of the party that it will be carried through. It makes for economy of administration, a sound and sensible land settlement and development programme, reduction of taxation in the fiscal system wherever possible in order to lessen the cost of living, a Legislative Council representative of the people, proper and efficient contrpl of the Civil Service, better local government, and social and industrial legislation with democratic principles, together with wider and higher opportunity for i the people, and the advancement of all forms of industrial activity.

“Again I thank the electors, on behalf of my party, as well as on my own behalf, for the confidence reposed in us, and for the emphatic answer to the misrepresentation we have had to fight against. The Reform party will do its duty fearlessly, confident in the trust of the people. "W. F. MASSEY. - ’ THE CONSTITUTIONAL ASPECT WHAT WILL THE GOVERNMENT DO 7 (By Telegraph.—Own correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. There is a good deal of speculation as to what course the Government will take in view of the position that has arisen, and the following extracts from authorities are interesting. “Modern Constitutional Practice” says: “Tod, in his ‘Parliamentary Government in British Colonies’ has sanctioned a deviation from the rule which forbids an appeal to any other tribunal than that of Parliament itself to decide upon the fate of Ministries. Up to the year 1868 the general current of precedent was decidedly in favour of a Ministry beaten at a general election accepting their defeat only at the hands of Parliament, and that custom was grounded on the salutary doctrine that it is only through Parliament that the nation can speak. But in 1868, and in 1880, the Conservative administration, and in 1874 the Gladstone administration, respectively resigned office soon after the adverse result of their appeal to the constituencies was apparent. In 1892, however, the Salisbury administration adopted the old method of accepting defeat in Parliament. So likewise in Victoria, upon the defeat of the McCullough Ministry at the general election of 11th May, 1877, the administration resigned on the 21st May, the day previous to the meeting of the new Parliament. In like manner the Berry Ministry in March, ISBO, resigned after a general election, and without meeting Parliament. In Canada, shortly after the general election, held in September, 1878, and which resulted in the defeat of the Reform party at the hustings, the McKe.nzie administration resigned, and

■was replaced by the Conservative administration of Sir Jno. A. Macdonald. The new Parliament met at about the usual period in February, 1&79. ilr. T. A. Freeman views these precedents as introducing a new principle into the -un-written constitution of England by means of <which the direct action of the electors at their polling booths is capable of effecting a change of Ministers •without the intervention of the House. While deprecating this novel departure from ancient constitutional usage, he considers tihese recent cases i.t. i ''indicating the course -which in all probability ■wfll he generally followed hereafter iipon similar occasions. "Tbe result of the general election," eays Raven in his 'ParKainentary History of England," "•was not to lord DerbyVi Ministry. It -was computed that there -were returned to the i««!-w Par] lament 350 Liberate and about 302 Conservatives. Lord Derby did not immediately resign. Parliament reassembled, on the 31st of May. On the address, Lord Hartingfcon moved an addition, which in effect •was a Tote of confldence, and it was carried against! Ministers by a majority of I*, and i the resignation of Lord Derby's GAinet foflrwed-. I