HAMAGUCHI’S FIGHT

Southland Times, Issue 21362, 7 April 1931, Page 6

HAMAGUCHI’S FIGHT

Behind the scenes of the battle in the Japanese Diet which caused Mr Hamaguchi’s relapse is the contest with the militarists, who have objected to the ratification of the London Naval Treaty, but still more have been concerned by' the reorganization of the Privy' Council, a personal triumph for the Premier, which was revealed shortly before the attempt on his life last November. For many years the Privy Council stood between the Cabinet and the Throne, and as it leaned to the njjlitarists and was powerful enough at times to dictate the personnel of the Cabinet, party' government was severely restricted. Whenever the Privy Council declared its firm opposition to the Government Cabinet resigned, but the contest over the Loudon Naval Treaty saw the Privy Council, which went beyond its purely advisory functions, as on many other occasions, worsted, because Mr Hamaguchi secured the royal signature to the treaty in spite of the elder statesmen’s opposition. Then Mr Hamaguchi seized his opportunity to press for the right of Cabinet to have the last word of advice to the Throne in matters pertaining to the national services. In other words, Mr Hamaguchi is seeking the elevation. of Cabinet, as the committee of the Diet to the supreme position of advisers to the monarch, and the subordination of the Privy Council. This purpose was the cause of the attempted assassination in November, and it lies at the back of the callous attack on a sick man which drove him back again to hospital.