184 THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT [PART IT
advice as to his action in connexion with the grant of
a dissolution when supply was not granted being made
conditionally on supply being obtained. It had become
systematic in the Colony to delay supply until sometimes
months after the beginning of the financial year, and dissolu-
tions were frequent. He had granted such dissolutions in
March and August, reserving himself the right to reconsider
the matter if temporary supply was not conceded by the
Opposition! The question was referred by Lord Carnarvon,
the Secretary of State, to Sir T. Erskine May, who sympa-
thized with the Governor in his desire to secure that supply
should be granted, but who thought that there was objection
to letting the Parliament know that he had granted a dis-
solution conditionally on the Government obtaining supply,
since thus the Lower House could defeat the promise of
a dissolution; he was therefore in favour of a definite
consent or refusal after full discussion with ministers and
consideration of the situation. Mr. Brand, the Speaker,
thought that his action was sound in substance, and that it
was very essential to check the most undesirable position
which had grown up in the Colony, which hampered the
Governor and interfered with the efficiency of administration,
making the House master of its own dissolution by refusing
to do more than pass supply from month to month. The
improvement in methods was seen in 1878 on the resignation
of the Farnell Ministry. The Governor asked Sir J. Robert-
son to take office; he did so, and asked Mr. Farnell to secure
supply ; the ex-Premier agreed, but the Assembly omitted
any provision for the Exhibition then about to be held. Sir
J. Robertson retired, and the Governor invited Mr. Farnell
to resume office, but the Assembly would not agree to trans-
act business while the Farnell administration was in office,
50 that the Governor sent for Sir H. Parkes, who succeeded in
forming, with the aid of Sir J. Robertson, a Government.
Supply was then, by the aid of Mr. Farnell, granted, thus
following the English practice.
+ Legislative Assembly Journals, 1876-7, i, 179, 184-93,
* Legislative Assembly Votes, 1877-8,1. 451; Rusden, Australia, iii. 501,502.
