PARTY GOVERNMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9855, 24 July 1914, Page 5

PARTY GOVERNMENT.

SOME ADVOCATES OF. THE ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE DISCUSSION BY THE FARMERS. An important principle relating to the constitution of the Government was embodied in the following remit, submitted by Auckland (Major H. Lu»k) at the conference of farmers in Wellington yesterday : "That the Dominion Conference bc> again asked to appoint a committee to consider and draft a scheme of Government by elective executive for this country, in order that the Fanners' Union may be able to enter on an active cam paign to bring this principle clearly beforo the electors of the Dominion. Capt. Colbeok (Auckland), who seconded the remit, expressed the opinion that the party system was responsible for a great waste of time in Parliament, and be did not believe that it was desirable that the country should pay men to come into Wellington "sod throw mod at one another." The Chairman said the remit was asking the Union to engage in an active political campaign, which was not desirable at the present time. Captain Colbeck said this was not the idea. It was only sought to bring the principle before the electors. Mr G. Sheet (North Canterbury): It is too. big a question for us to discuss in the limited time at our disposal. The question of party and elective executive are ones that we are not able to deal with in a session like ours. Another delegate suggested that the best course would be to get a scheme brought before the country, so that candidates could be asked whether or not they were in favour of it.

Mr H. G. Livingstone (North Canterbury) opposed the remit on the ground that any subject of importance should be fully discussed 'before any legislation was carried, and the only way to ensure a full discussion was to have the party system. A voice: You were there last night! (Laughter). Mr P. Meehan (Marlborough), in apE roving of the remit, stated that "tbo arking that went on in Parliament was a disgrace to the civilised wosld." He would sooner go amreee a game of marbles. TV sooner the people were made aware of what was goinjf on the better chance Jhcre would be of getting a change. Mr E. Campbell (Wanganui) thought that # party government was responsible for keepm * some of the very best men out of the House.

The Chairman "aid they all admitted the evils of the party system, but in bit judgment the remit asked too much. Who was to constitute the committee, and who wero to go out to the public as campaigners? The union would be liable to be misunderstood. The question had been before the House and ably discussed, and they oould affirm the principle of an Elective Executive withoutgoing m far as was urged by the remit. The matter had been before the conference previously, and he believed the principle had been affirmed. He moved as an amendment—"That the conference is of opinion that the Elective Executive is preferable to the- party system that at present exists." This was seconded by Mr H. Morrison (Wairarapa). and carried by 12 votes to 8. Mr J. McQueen (Southland) moved as a luH ™* amendment, and it was seconded—- , *■* <^ e . ( J uert » or » •» remitted to the branches before any pronouncement is made upon it." The second amendment was oarried by 15 votes to 8, and was declared bv the chairman to be the substantive motjpn.