PARTY GOVERNMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23488, 27 October 1939, Page 13

PARTY GOVERNMENT

Sir, —Like some of your other correspondents, 1 am in agreement with Mr. T. E. McMillan as to the unsatisfactorincss of our present system of government, but doubtful of the efficacy of the remedies he proposes. However, it is all to the good that public attention should he called to the need for reform. My own faith is pinned to the adoption of proportional representation, and, more important still, of an elective executive on the Swiss model. As long ago as 1891 a committee of the House of Representatives on constitutional reform reported in favour of the adoption by New Zealand of the Swiss system. Their report, which can be seen at the Public Library, sets out convincingly the defects of party government and the advantages of the Swiss system. It is to be regretted that Mr. McMillan has made it appear that he advocates the reform of our system of government as a means of defence against socialism, it is a mistake to bring extraneous issues into a movement for one particular refotin, and thereby make it the handmaid of one political party, and forfeit the prospect of support from any opposed to that party. Whether party government is a good thing and whether socialism is a good thing are two totally distinct questions, and it is quite possible for those who agree about one of them to differ about the other. M. Alois.