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

CHAP. IV] THE GOVERNOR AS HEAD 219 than by means of official memoranda which become part of the Records of Council. In conclusion, IT may be permitted to say to Your Excel- lency that, under the British constitutional system which Canada has the happiness to enjoy, the Queen’s representa- tive, like Her Majesty, is the executive head of the country, removed from the arena of public controversy, however fierce the conflict of parties may be; and in my judgment no more fatal mistake could be made than any interposition in the management of public affairs which would cause the Governor- General to be identified with either one party or the other. Adhering respectfully but firmly to the opinions I have ventured to express in this memorandum, which I regret to find do not agree with those of Your Excellency, it remains only for me to tender the resignation of my colleagues and myself, and to ask that we may be relieved from our responsi- bilities as Ministers of the Crown at the earliest convenience of Your Excellency. To this memorandum Lord Aberdeen simply replied on July 9 as follows :— My action at the present time has been guided solely by a regard for the following facts, namely, that— 1. Parliament expired on April 25th. 2. The result of the General Elections on June 23rd was the defeat of the Government. 3. The supplies for the public service came to an end on June 30th, and by the view that, pending the assembly of Parliament, the full powers and authority, unquestionably possessed by the Government, should be exercised in such directions only as are demanded by the exigencies of the public interest, and so as to avoid all acts which may tend to embarrass the succeeding Administration. Sir Charles Tupper also very vehemently attacked the Governor-General’s action in the House of Commons, and he was defended by ministers as having vindicated in a signal manner the rule of democracy by resenting the abuse of power by a minister after he had ceased to enjoy the support of the people! The beneficial results of the whole affair were ! Canada House of Commons Debates, 1896, Sess. 2, pp. 1631-60 (Sir C. Tupper}, 1660-71 (Sir W. Laurier). The Speaker had to call Sir C. Tupper’s attention to the rule that he must not attack the Governor-General personally, but the Ministry, ibid., 1638, 1656.

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