The Hawera Star. THURSDAY. JUNE 26. 1930. GOVERNMENT BY EXPERTS.

Hawera Star, Volume L, 26 June 1930, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

THURSDAY. JUNE 26. 1930. GOVERNMENT BY EXPERTS.

Delivered every evening by 6 o’clock in Hawera, Manaia, Kaupokonui, Otakeho, Oeo, Pihaina, Opunake, Normanby, Okaiawa Eltham, Ngaere, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Te Kiri, Mahoe, Lowgarth, Manutahi. Kakaramea, Alton. Hurleyville Patea, Whenuakura, Waverle.y, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangai, Meremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata

The Hon. W. Downie Stewart, in the course of a roco.nt address to the Otago Farmers’ Union, made an interesting reference to our system of government. “The Anglo-Saxon face,’’ he said, “believed in the theory of government liv amateurs.' ’ and J lie added that “perhaps it was because of the amateur government, that there is so much 'bewilderment in respect to present problems.’’ The British people claim to have developed the. system of representative government, and the House of Commons is often referred to ns the Mother of Parliaments, although historical accuracy in that respect probably would give the title to the Althing of Iceland, which has been in existence for a thousand years. But the Mother Country has led the way

in the development of the parliamentary system. The chosen representatives of the people make tho laws, and long ago the system was dubbed government by amateurs. Many exports in tho science of governance, such as Sir Henry Maine, have pointed out the weaknesses of the system, and have contended that the democratic form of government is not, in itself, more stable than other forms. And experience since the war would seem to support that contention. On the ground that greater efficiency could be secured, economies effected, or the security of the. State more completely assured, nation after nation in Europe passed under a dictatorial form of government, sometimes absolute and sometimes with an outward show of attachment to the former legislative bodies. The British, , however, while more critical of the par liamentarv system than formerly, have shown no marked inclination to change it, and it might reasonably be held that Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman summed up the attitude of the average Briton, at home and abroad, when he said that “we prefer self-government to good government." But,' of late years, there have been many men of proved capacity and sound judgment who have raised the question of further developments. ' General Smuts, in the, course of a lecture at Cambridge last year, was very outspoken. Since the Great War, he said, there had been a widespread disillusion over democracy, but he doubted if the substitutes [adopted in Europe were any improvement. The South African statesman went on to contend, however, that (human government seemed to be outgrowing its political clothes, and there would have to be suitable adjustments. The line of advance, lie urged, should be by the association of expert knowledge and ability with the functions ofl government. And there is impressive evidence to support the claim. The nations concerned remitted the laborious task of settling the war reparations and other problems to a body of financial experts. The recommendations have been accepted by all parties, and t.ho machinery for carrying out the scheme is now being completed, solely by international financiers. Many people see in tho decision of tho Labour Government at Home to appoint an Economic Council, to advise- the Ministry on all matters concerning economic questions, a further step to enlist the services of the expert for the assist ance of amateur governance. General Smuts said that the rise of science was the outstanding fact of the modern world, and the aid of the scientist was being sought in practically every sDliere of human activity, except in that of the governing of the country The South African leader suggested i that great issues might bo submitted to a body- of experts, whose personal characters and reputations conferred exceptional authority on them, and whose recommendations should be available as a guide for both public opinion and the Government. Many of our most, serious problems are economic, and the question arises whether these [matters might not. be more efficiently handled by experts than by parliamentarians, prone to be influenced by the movement of public opinion and the general attitude of a particular party. Admitting that, at the present time, wo have government by amateurs, the task is to find some method that will make expert, knowledge available. In other words, how is the ability of the export to be utilised by, and brought into direct touch with, paidiamentary government?