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

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Chapter

Document type:: Multivolume work

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Part II. The executive Government

Collection:: Economics Books

216 THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT [PART II think that this is proper and desirable and contributes to continuity of Government. As to the accessibility of such papers to successive cabinets, it must be borne in mind that, whether specifically so described or not, all such papers are essentially confidential. Their contents are made known only to those who are bound by oath of secrecy, and they cannot be laid before Parliament except with the consent of the Governor-General. I fail, therefore, to see that there has lately been any departure from precedent or from practice in this matter. These observations will indicate to you in the meantime the result of such consideration as I have so far been able to give to the business now before me. Sir Charles Tupper replied on July 8. He explained the motives which had led to the suggested appointments, &e. He adduced the case of Mr. Mackenzie, who made several appointments between his defeat on September 17, 1878, and his resignation on October 16 following. The failure to grant supply was due to the unparalleled obstruction of the Opposition taking advantage of the fact that Parliament would expire on April 25.1 He proceeded to add — I should fail in my duty to your Excellency as well as to the principles which govern the administration of public affairs in Canada, where Parliamentary Government is carried on precisely as it is in England, if I did not draw your atten- tion to the very serious consequences of the views which you have indicated as guiding your action on the present occasion. The recognized authorities on Parliamentary Law, and the practice both in England and in Canada have, I contend, settled these questions beyond dispute. Todd, in his Parlia- mentary Government in England, vol. ii, p. 512, says :— ‘The verdict of the country having been pronounced against Ministers at a general election, it is nevertheless competent for them to remain in office until the new Parliament has * It was debated whether, as the writ for Algoma was only returned thirty-nine days after the writs were due, the House need be dissolved until thirty-nine days after April 25, 1896, but the Government decided to adhere to the strict letter of the law; see Bourinot, Constitutional H istory of Canada, p. 61, note 4. An Ontario Act of 1901 met a similar difficulty by allowing ten days’ grace after prorogation if the House was sitting when it was due to oxpire by efflux of time. But this provision was only temporary and does not appear in Act 1908, ¢. 5. See Canadian Annual Register, 1901, 1. 429,

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