AN ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21068, 30 December 1931, Page 12

AN ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE.

Sir, —Switzerland for the last 60 years has been governed by an Elective Executive, elect ad every three yea.s by th« combined Houses of Parliament. Under this form of Government U has conducted its affairs more prosperously, more economically and maintained a more contented population than any other country. This has been attained although the nation consists of three different races of people, French, German and Italian, speaking three different languages and nearly equally balanced so far as their two religions arc concerned. One very great advantage that has evolved out of the Elected Executive is continuity of office. Although elected every third year. Ministers have retained their office for six, nine and 12 years, according as their executive ability is displayed. They are thus expert, at the work of their several departments and not amateurs as our Ministers are, who. as a rule, are in office in any one department for a year oi" two only. Changes are too frequent. The Swiss plan gives Ministers a thorough grasp of the working of their departments and they are not so dependent on the officers, who naturally think more of the kudos and importance of their da* partment than of the taxpayer. So long as an amateur Minister is responsible to the taxpayer and an offici.il left to form the estimates and control the expenditure as is the practice now the Minister cannot have full control of expenditure. The official should have the responsibility of the finance of his depaitment and sit with the executive, taking full share of the responsibility and his salary be dependent on the success and economical administration of his department as in German Government. The German Municipal Government is acknowledged to be the best in the world, and pre-war the chief cities of England were yearly sending deputations to examine its working. Now here in New Zealand this appears to be the time to consider an improvement in our system of Government control of departments. We have chosen a National Government, -which consists of two heads of former Governments, and who have associated with themselves a number of other men to form a Cabinet. I beg to submit that men chosen by the Parlirment would probably be a better choice. These would more probably be men of known administrative ability. Above ally men so chosen would feel that they had the weight, of public opinion behind them, and hold their office more securely than if they had the support of one party only. It would probably be advisable at first to confine Ministers to the one House only, but as the system worked it . might b® extended to the election as Ministers of the best men for that particular office, whether ir., Parliament or outside. A.Vv.B.