Responsible government in the Dominions: Responsible government in the Dominions

Responsible government in the Dominions (Vol. 1)

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Multivolume work

Identifikator:: 1896933912

Document type:: Multivolume work

Author:: Keith, Arthur Berriedale http://d-nb.info/gnd/119086794

Title:: Responsible government in the Dominions

Place of publication:: Oxford

Publisher:: Clarendon Press

Year of publication:: 1912-

Collection:: Economics Books

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Volume

Identifikator:: 1896934455

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-236504

Document type:: Volume

Author:: Keith, Arthur Berriedale http://d-nb.info/gnd/119086794

Title:: Responsible government in the Dominions

Volume count:: Vol. 1

Place of publication:: Oxford

Publisher:: Clarendon Pr.

Year of publication:: 1912

Scope:: LI, 568 Seiten

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

Usage license:: Get license information via the feedback formular.

Chapter

Document type:: Multivolume work

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Part I. Introductory

Collection:: Economics Books

18 RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT [PART I determined to stand apart from any appearance of favouring any one side in the country, and to accept any measure which was suggested by his ministers, unless it were of so extreme a party character that the Assembly or the people would be sure to approve his refusal. He had troubles to face : his first ministry, a Conservative one, was very weak, and he found it difficult to induce them to face Parliament, while they were unable to undertake any substantial work because of the chances of defeat in the Assembly ; he noted also that the racial split was unhappy; a Conservative administration meant British control, a Liberal one a French dominion, and he wished for a consummation which has partly been fulfilled in our time, the division of the French into two parties in some correspondence with the divisions in the British party. The principle which governed his action he thus described :— I give to my ministers all constitutional support, frankly and without reserve, and the benefit of the best advice that I can afford them in their difficulties. In return for this I expect that they will, in so far as it is possible for them to do so, carry out my views for the mainten- ance of the connexion of Great Britain and the advance- ment of the interests of the Province. On this tacit understanding we have acted together harmoniously up to this time, although I have never concealed from them that I intend to do nothing which may prevent me from working cordially with their opponents if they are forced upon me. That ministries and oppositions should occasion- ally change places is of the very essence of our constitutional system, and it is probably the most conservative element which it contains. By subjecting all sections of politicians in their turn to official responsibilities it obliges heated partisans to place some restraints on passion, and to confine within the bound of decency the patriotic zeal with which when out of place they are wont to be animated. Lord Elgin’s principles were carried out in practice when, in March 1848, a vote of no confidence by the Assembly led to the resignation of his ministers : he made no attempt to keep them in office, and merely appointed a ministry from the opposition, which act he reported to the Secretary of

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