BRITISH CONSTITUTION

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16712, 30 January 1926, Page 11 (Supplement)

BRITISH CONSTITUTION

■.AND OF SETTLED GOVERNMENT.

(By "Marama.")

In Home papers we frequently see [t stated that there is a growing feeling against Parliamentary rule. We have seen it abolished in Spain, and practically abolished in Italy. It had never taken root in Russia. Now we are told that there is a possibility of its disappearance in Germany, while in France a section of the Labour party are. scornful of it. We can scarcely say how much importance is to be attached to these statements. A few years bock we should have laughed at them, but Italy and Spain have shaken our faith. There have been many serious evils that have befallen us since war ended, but the disappearance of Parliaments would be the worst of all. It is a very common habit of "shallow persons to decry Parliament, and scoff at it as a talking shop, and certainly the proceedings of most Parliaments are not such as to inspire any great respect. Nevertheless it is safe to say that the worst c-f them is infinitely better than no Parliament at all. Those who sneer at government by discussion have never formed any picture in their,own mind of what gavernment would be without discussion, and without a statement of the objections that may be felt" to any course proposed. Those who would see Parliaments done away with fancy that some superhuman,, endowed with wisdom and exempt from personal prejudices and interests would be found to direct the destinies of the people, whereas in fact we know that such wisdom and uprightness is rarely found in any man tvhether King or President, and that Such qualities are very unlikely to land a man in the seats of the mighty. Let Us take Counsel Together. Parliament has developed from the old Teutonic habit of calling together the tribe and laying befqre them the questions to be decided. Questions most, frequently of war and peace,, and in these gatherings the leader wa3 elected, the Duke. The changes that have taken place in the course of time have made such gatherings impossible. Numbers alone would forbid them. Trie genius of our race evolved the idea of representation by which a man was sent to the Parliament to represent his district. • The idea has spread throughout the world, and is perhaps our greatest service to mankind. Men are "brought from all parts of the country representing different ideas and interests, and argue, them out in discussion. The stronger party may be inclined to take advantage of their strength, but it is more difficult to do so in face of an open protest. Wlien opinion runs strongly in one direction the most extreme man is likely to be followed. At such H-v----the action of an opposition is, most valuable, for it leads to prudence and reconsideration. The slowness of government is often derided, but It is not so mischievous as undue haste.

The Breaking Up of Laws.

If men be denied the opportunity of stating their opinions and wishes openly and in some place where action may follow thereon, there must

be discontent, which, will in time reach the stake of an attempt to overthrow government. In the Central American republics up tc a recent date every change of government was brought about by force. A part of the army was bribed, and attacked the President and his friends. A certain amount of shooting took place and was followed by a certain amount of hanging, and the upshot depended on the respective strength of the attackers and defenders. In such squabbles the interests of the country and of the people are forgotten, for it is a matter .of life and death on both sides. If, however, we do away wi'th majority rule and government by discussion, this is the only alternative left to us. ' South America has worked out of the system, and most of the i countries therein have Parliaments of various degrees' of merit in which, however, it is possible, to effect a -change of Government without blood*shed. Central America is improving, partly by the assistance of the United States and partly from fear of her. And while these countries arc, advancing to a system of law and order, European States of the. first magnitude are relapsing into barbarism, and substituting force for reason in dealing ■with public .questions. Plato, Thou Reasonest Well.

t A defence of the Parliamentary system is not a defence of the manner in which they are too often conducted. Like all human institutions, ! they are not free from defects, and if •■those who sit therein were much fetter and wiser than they actually there would still be room for com- \ plaint. The number and complexity of the Questions mat come before Parliament is so great that it, is impossible to deal with them adequately and all Parliaments are alike-in grasping at business and authority and in trving to do more than they are capable of carrying out. The great value of a Parliament, however, is that it is a safety valve, and allows grievances to be expressed, and different pionts of view brought forward. It, is a real benefit to any Government to feel that they have to justify the policy they pursue by argument and not simply compel the acceptance of it by the mere weight of a majority. It is a good thing for men who differ strongly in opinion to have to listen to each other, and in such conflicts men learn to respect an adversary with whose opinions Ihey may have no sympathy. Half of the trouble that is taking place to-day in New South Wales is due to the knowledge that the course pursued is dictated by some Labour caucus, the members of which are unknown to the world, and take care never to come into the open to defend their policy. If we do not want absolutism, either of King or caucus, let us hold fast to Parliamentary government, and at the same time do all that is possible to improve its quality. Those who support a man because he promises some road or railway are betraying their country. Those who will support any man who accepts some particular nostrum arc in the same way a danger to the State. Civilisation is bound up with the habit of discussion; the hearing of the other side: the substitution of reason for force. We should not decry Parliaments, with which the hopes of man-

kind are bound up, but, on the oilier hand, should endeavour to make them ■Hp.QS4. capable of carrying out the ; %re£i task before them, ,