PRIME MINISTIR SHOULD RESIGN, SAYS JOURNAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18615, 17 November 1928, Page 6

PRIME MINISTIR SHOULD RESIGN, SAYS JOURNAL.

STATEMENT OF BALLANCE IN 1890 RECALLED. (Special to the “Star.”) WANGANUI, November 17. Commenting on the political situation the “ Herald " refers to the parallel between the 1890 and 1928 elections. In IS9O the Government, under Atkinson, suffered a severe reverse by the Liberals under Ballance. The latter demanded the resignation of Sir Harry in terms of the pledge given by him prior to the elections. Atkinson refused to resign and said that he intended to call the Ministers together for consultation with regard to the position and Parliament would assemble as early as possible, but it would be inconvenient to do so before the end of March. Ballance replied: “ The unconstitutional nature of the act of a beaten Ministry continuing to hold office without tendering its resignation does not require argument. The inconvenience and loss to the country of such a course could hardly be exaggerated. It could not prepare a policy and would meet Parliament in April without anything to put before it. The result would be two sessions. Why should Parliament assemble to greet a beaten Ministry? What is there for Parliament to do? If Parliament assembles the Ministry will, have to resign. The Governor will send for the Opposition, the Opposition will then form a Ministry and Parliament will give the Ministry two or three weeks to formulate a policy. That will mean two sessions and a big expense. The Premier has nothing to do with what may follow upon his resignation. The constitution provides for that and the guardian of the constitution at such a crisis is the Governor, who can send for an3 r member of the House he may please, to form a Ministry. To call the House together will be contrary to constitutional usage and can only be done to enable the present Ministers to hold office for a little longer.”

The “ Herald ” contends that Ballance’s argument applies to-day, that there is no need for Parliament to assemble and that Mr Coates should resign at once.