CHAP. IV] THE GOVERNOR AS HEAD 203 
for meeting the exigencies of the State. On this question 
there can be no appeal to the people at present, because 
Ministers have not yet submitted to Parliament measures 
which they say are necessary. There is nothing to appeal 
upon. If such measures are submitted, they may receive 
approval, in which case a dissolution, costing some £1,200, 
would be an extravagant and avoidable error, especially at 
a time when rigid economy appears to be necessary. More- 
over, the decision of the electors, to be of any value for future 
guidance, would have to be given on definite taxing pro- 
posals, and none have yet been formulated to meet the altered 
conditions. The form which the additional taxation said to 
be necessary is to take has not been disclosed. It is asked 
that the Assembly may be dissolved, in order that an appeal 
may be made to the country on a financial policy which 
not only has not been rejected by the Assembly, but has not 
been even submitted to it. 
There only remains to be considered the existing relations 
between the two Houses. In addition to the reasons already 
stated, the Acting Governor does not think that this question 
has become so acute as to justify an appeal to the country 
in regard to it. One great difference of opinion, probably 
the one on which all others have mainly depended, has 
been removed, and as regards new proposals, there may 
be no difference, but if there is, a dissolution is not 
the only remedy. It by no means follows that another 
Administration could not be formed from the present 
Parliament which could submit proposals that would 
be acceptable, and which would bring the Houses into 
agreement. 
‘The course of events has gone a long way to remove cause 
for disagreement, and if there exists any other method than 
dissolution to bring about a complete agreement, the Acting 
Governor thinks that it is his duty to use it. Extraordinary 
means need not be used to terminate a disagreement which 
is in a fair way of being terminated by ordinary means. It is 
not the duty of the Acting Governor to take sides with one 
branch of the Legislature against the other, or to criticize the 
action of either House. It is only when disputes between 
them transcend the lawful bounds of Parliamentary warfare 
and seem to be irreconcilable by any other means, that he 
is justified in the attempt to invoke the aid of the people to 
restore harmony by dissolving the popular Chamber. 
With the exception of the question of constitutional reform 
of the Legislative Council, the Acting Governor fails to see