PRINCIPLE OR EXPEDIENCY?

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12935, 27 November 1909, Page 4

PRINCIPLE OR EXPEDIENCY?

» Not so long ago it was generally required of Parliamentary candidates that they should pledge themselves to support one party or another. So long as the parties were true to principle no great harm resulted. The Conservative who was conscientious could pledge himself, feeling sure that his p.iity would not dissatisfy him. The honest Liberal was in a similar position. But as soon as a party drifts away from principle, the disadvantages of such a practice become manifest. It becomes a struggle between party and conscience. If the member engaged in such wishes to vote against obnoxious proposals he is forbidden to do so by the fear that he may put his whole party out of office. With an Elective Ministry his conscience would not be so strained, for he could vote against an offending Minister without imperilling the portfolios of others he might be satisfied with. But we have no Elective Ministry — though South Africa thinks it good enough for her — consequently we can to some extent sympathise with the position of certain members of the House. They are pledged to the Leasehold, and also pledged to their party. But they do not know which to yield to: ! Party or Conscience?