AN ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 451, 27 March 1912, Page 4

AN ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE.

Periodically in New Zealand comes the advocacy from Bome section of th# community in favour of an elective executive in place of the system of party government. !For many years past this country has not been keenly conscious of the possible developments of party government. One particular party has been in the ascendancy for so long, and by such a great majority that the possibility of a change in the administration came as a surprise to the bulk of the electors. Confronted with the spectacle of parties, practically equal in strength, opposing each other in Parliament, and the further probability of a third party being created in the near s future to further complicate; matter* and render the administration of the country's affairs a matter of extremedifficulty, well - balanced people are naturally enquiring if the old party | methods cannot be profitably altered. The recommendation by the Farmers' Union in favour of an elective executive is therefore deserving of consideration. The party system may have much to recommend it in a great old-established country where two great factions represent vitally divergent Bchoolß of political thought, but in New Zealand, where the development of the country's resources must occupy the chief place in the consideration of any administration, the financial working of the country is naturally of supreme importance. Notwithstanding this we have the experience before us of losing the services of the best financial brain in Parliament owing to the exigencies of party strife. On the other hw>d we have the experience of seeing Bome of the best brains in Parliament sitting on the Opposition benches unable to take part in the constructive legislation of the country until the exigencies of party strife decree that the whole of the work shall devolve upon them. Thuß the parliamentary life resolves itself into a struggle for the Treasury benches, which is entirely derogatory to the dignity of political life, besides being a tremendous waste of misdirected energy, which should be used in furthering the interests of country instead of party. The party system also tends to encourage the growth of the professional politician who iB frequently elected for adherence to party rather than on his record of work accomplished for the good of the country. It is noteworthy that new members being elected for the first time and imbued with high political ideals, become quickly disillusioned,and return from their first session with a lowered conception of the Parliament of the country. Undoubtedly this shattering of ideals iB the direct consequence of the petty struggles and quibblings deemed neceßsary in party interests. In Bome quarters the idea of an elective executive is condemned because at first blußh it would seem as though such an innovation would produce no alteration, and the party in the majority would still control the situation. Such would undoubtedly be the else with members elected on the olioarty basis. However, with the elwttors desirous of wiping out the party system, the old process of electing members on a party basis would be a thing of the past, and personal worth and integrity would be given due weight. All things considered the elective executive idea has much to recommend it, and is worthy of the cloßest attention of electors in general.