CABINET’S POWERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 313, 4 December 1936, Page 7

CABINET’S POWERS.

AIASTER OF POLICY. LONDON, Dec. 3. Professor Harold Laski, Professor of Political Science at the University ot London, in an article in the Daily Herald, says: “The King’s constitutional position is that he must act on tlie advice of his Ministers unless he can secure other Alinisters who are, firstly, able to tender him other advice, and secondly, are able to command a majority m the Commons. “How far docs Cabinet’s right to offer advice extend? The answer is: As far as Cabinet assumes it to bo- necessary for tho purpose of maintaining confidence. The King and his acts are Cabinet’s acts. Whatever lie docs they are responsible for belore Parliament. If they cannot accept the responsibility old Alinisters have to lie recalled and the King will be compelled to accept their advice. “It does not matter what tho subject of the advice is, it is always in tlie discretion of Ministers to tender it. Nothing save the formation of a new Government able to secure a majority in the Commons can justify the King in refusing to do what his Alinisters advise him to do. He may plead, urge and argue, but the master of policy in the British system is that Cabinet which retains the confidence of the Commons.”