PRIME MINISTER OF GREAT BRITAIN.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19901, 2 June 1936, Page 6

PRIME MINISTER OF GREAT BRITAIN.

The foreigner who studies the development of constitutional government in Great Britain soon gets into a maze. Indeed, one of the greatest authorities on the subject, after studying the matter for two years, stated that there was no such thing as a British Constitution. It is a mixture of law, precedent and custom, and, of course, has never been written. There are many little problems in British political life that are especially puzzling to foreigners. For instance, the Prime Minister is the head of the Government. He is commissioned by the Crown to form an administration, and exercises far-reaching powers by virtue of his office. But, until 1905, the office of Prime Minister was unknown to the law. The very term was not applied officially to any holder of the office until 1878, and to this day he receives no salary because of holding that important post. The salary is paid, because, as a rule, the Prime Minister is also First Lord of the Treasury, and as such draws £SOOO per annum. For some years this arrangement has been adversely criticised at Home, but no Government would take action because any attempt to increase their own salaries would lay them open to criticism. If, as has been reported, the National Government intends to bring down legislation giving the Prime Minister an adequate salary it will probably be passed without much debate. It is well known that the holder of the office cannot meet the ordinary expenditure that devolves upon him out of the salary received as First Lord, and that he must draw heavily on his own financial resources for the purpose. Many members of the House of Commons regard this as a reflection on the State. They contend that the head of the Government of the day should receive a salary sufficient for the purpose, and that Great Britain should not ask those who carry a great burden of responsibiliyt to defray the cost of what are practically State functions out of their private means. The provision of a salary for the Leader of the Opposition would also pass without challenge. The system has been adopted in other countries, if not always i xL the form of a salary, then in votes to enable the holder of that office to employ the expert assistance required, secretaries and typists. Much work evolves on the Leader of the Opposition, and the provision of assistance is regarded in many countries as fully justified. The fact that the present Government at Home represents more than one party makes conditions favourable for the introduction of such a measure and even the. opponents of the Government have advocated this course.