THE Wairarapa Age. MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1912. RESERVING JUDGMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10597, 1 April 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age. MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1912. RESERVING JUDGMENT.

The new Prime Minister has appealed to the country to reserve its judgment on his Administration until he luis been given an opportunity of framing his policy. This request would have been -eadily conceded, wore it not for the fact that Ma- Mackenzie is committed to the policy, if such it can be termed, with which he and his colleagues went to the country. Any departure from this policy can only bo regarded as a breach of faith with the constituencies. If the change in- the .personnel of the Government is to involve, a radical cliange in policy, as is implied by the appeal of Mr Mackenzie, then the only honourable course open to the Prime Minister- is to immediately go to the country for an endorsement, or otherwise, of. that ipoldcy. The fundamental principle underlying democratic government assumes tho right of tdie people to express an opinion upon the great poll-' ftioal issues involved in the administration of 'the affairs' of State. Once j the Ministry of the day abrogates this | right, it establishes a form of auto- j cracy which is inimical to the interests of democratic government. Tho duty of the Hon. fl\ Mackenzie and ' {his colleagues is to pursue the policy , outlined by Sir Joseph Ward prior to tfclie elections, for it was u,pon this polr icy, and this alone, that the electors were called upon to express an opinion. Any departure from this policy will at lonce lay the Government open fa> a cliarge of violating tho . trust which has been reposed in it. It is a question j also, whether tho complete tiliange whidh has been effected in the Administration should not require the endorsement of the country. It is absurd to argue that the poll in Decem-

bor last demands a complete change in Administration, but no change in poli;-y. The Liberals in the House [have assumed that such a demand was made. But what justification is there for siicli an assumption ? As a .matter of fact, there is none whatever.. If the country condemned the Administration, it is fair to assume that- it also condemned the policy of that Administration. Mr Mackenzie aray be willing to accept the condemnation as of botlh; but in doing so he must admit the right of the people to be consulted upon, both the new Administration and its policy. If he adheres to the policy of Sir Joseph Ward, he lias to demonstrate that tho Administration which had pledged itself to give effect to that policy Hindi forfeited the confidence of the people. To do that, he is morally ■bound to appeal to the country lUirougjh the balloWbox. The position which has been taken up by Mr Mackenzie is/ unique in the annals of British constitutional government. In the Old Country it is thought necessary, when a Commoner enters the Cabinet, Ito require him to appeal to his con- | istitaiency. If such a course is necessary in. regard to-an individual Minlisrtfarj how much more necessary is it J when the whole of the Cabinet is reconstructed? The plain duty of Mr Mackenzie is to call the House together at. the earliest possible moment and seoure an .expression of opinion upon the constitutional aspect of the question.' ...If' •tlift-.ppinoipl©. of. .. democratic government-is'to.'be^^tamed,- there is no other course open, to the Prime Minister than- to go to the country.