CHAP. TV] THE GOVERNOR AS HEAD 187
arged that they were entitled to a dissolution, as the House
had been elected under the auspices of their rivals, and there
was every prospect that an election would leave them in
a substantial majority. The Governor declined, because he
did not think there was any certainty of a change in the views
of the country, there was no great question at issue, other
arrangements were possible, and there was no grant of supply.
He could not undertake to consider a dissolution unless
supply were granted for three months. The Ministry then
advanced the view that the power to dissolve was one resting
on the Constitution Act, not on the prerogative, and therefore
should be exercised on ministerial advice without regard to
the grant of supply. The Governor rejoined that he had
a clear discretion to dissolve under the Act, and that the
royal instructions left him full discretion to refuse to dissolve
despite ministers’ advice, and he refused to dissolve. Ulti-
mately Parliament was prorogued, the usual supplies having
been voted! A month later the Governor was again asked
bo dissolve, but he had now come to the conclusion that it
was not necessary to do so, as the Premier could probably
command a majority in the next Parliament. On the other
hand, the Premier argued that the Governor was only a
constitutional monarch, and must dissolve on advice. The
matter was referred to the Secretary of State for the Colonies,
who on February 15, 1878, definitely approved the views
taken by the Governor of his rights and his duties, while
emphasizing his duty to consider carefully the views of his
ministers. In July 1879 the Government, however, was de-
feated in the House on a motion of no confidence, and the new
Governor consented to dissolve on condition that Parliament
should be called as soon as possible. This was agreed to, but
both Houses addressed the Governor to secure that there
should be no delay in summoning them, and the Governor
then asked for an assurance from the Premier that he would
advise the House to be summoned early? The assurance
New Zealand Parl. Pap., 1877, A. 7; 1878, A. 1, p. 3.
bid. A. 2, p. 14; Gazette, 1878, pp. 911-14,
ibid., 1879, A. 1 and 2; Rusden, New Zealand, iii. 278 seq.
