THE ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 169, 17 July 1914, Page 4

THE ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE.

WOTJ-D IT ABOLISH PABTT GOVERNMENT t PROPOSAL BEFORE THE HOUSE. ißy Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thurßdav. Mr. Hanan moved the second reading of his Election of Ministers and Party Government Reform 831 to-day. _ n doing so the member argued againstthe party system of Government, which he contended too often meant one-man government. He contended that an executive elected by the whole House would realise national ideas and providj for national needs and interesti much better than the present system. i| would mean political freedom, independence of conscience, thought, and action, and deliverance from the existing evil rf which membere were the slaves of fetish. Mr. Ell expressed the belief that a majority of the electors of the cotintrv were in favour of the bill, and contended that party government called for too many sacrifices by individual members.

The member for Wairau criticised tho measure as being too indefinite and not containing any proposals which, in _jj opinion, would tend to improve the present system of government. It seemed to be something half-way between the Parliament of the day and the London County system, commented Mr. McCa). I uni.

Mr. Anderson supported ihe proposal, contending that any other improvement to be secured by an elective executive would be the diminution of political influence in the carrying out of public work*. He believed that if submitted to a referendum Parliament would be directed to adopt the principle contained in the bill.

''Under a system of proportional representation, where no particular party would dominate this House, such a proposal as is submitted in this bill would probably be a good working one," said Mr. Webb, adding, "but I don't think under the present system of representation much good could be effected by ib adoption. At the same time, t would like to see tbe bill passed and the system given a trial."

"An elective executive would, In in* opinion, be the ideal way of constitntinj a Ministry," said MY. Coa-tes. ''I-fel sure, however, that we who arein_T_nr of such a system are ahead of the times, as the country is saturated with pirty prejudice, and an inherited belie! ft party government." The bill was read a second time oh the voices, and the House rose at 0.12 a.m.