CHAP. 1v] THE GOVERNOR AS HEAD 209 
bo give him reasonable grounds for the belief that a dissolu- 
tion would result in a working majority in favour of the 
present Ministers. 
[(4) As the two parties in Opposition have arranged 
a coalition, on what grounds it is not for the Governor to 
ascertain, there is a reasonable prospect of a sufficiently 
Zbls Government to carry on the Government of the 
tate. 
(8) No great question is now at issue which was not before 
the electors at the recent general elections. 
(6) The Governor feels deeply his responsibility in having 
to give a decision on such a difficult question so soon after 
his arrival in the country, but his duty is to act in accordance 
with what he considers in the best interests and welfare of 
the people in the State. He regrets, therefore, that he feels 
compelled to decide against the advice of his Ministers, and 
refuses to burden the country with the expense and unrest 
of another general election after such a short interval of 
time. He must therefore give his decided opinion that a 
dissolution is undesirable. 
(Sgd.) HARRY BARRON. 
Government House, Hobart. 
October 25. 1909. 
The serious responsibility devolving upon a Governor by 
the discretion in matters of dissolution which he still retains 
is exemplified in a striking manner by the case of the New- 
foundland elections in 1909.! There was then returned to 
Parliament an equal number of members, eighteen, on both 
sides in the House of Assembly, and a deadlock ensued. The 
first question would arise as to the selection of a Speaker. 
It was clear that when the Governor attended in person 
at the House and asked them to choose a Speaker, the House 
would be unable to obey his request. Sir Robert Bond then 
approached the Governor and asked that a dissolution 
should be granted, but the Governor declined to consent to 
do so. His action was obviously desirable in view of the 
fact that the country could ill afford the expense and trouble 
of a new election. and there was a chance that a new Premier 
t Canadion Annual Review, 1909, pp. 36 seq. Cf. Evening Telegram, 
April 26 and 27, 1909 ; Daily News, April 27 and 28, 1909, 
127