Government of Western Australia

“ On the whole, it appears to me that until the country has decided on its representatives, and the Legislative Council has been created, I am bound, so far as the selection of the first Parliamentary Ministry is concerned, to maintain a passive attitude, and simply to make some temporary arrangement to keep the Government machinery going until the new Executive—the first Responsible Ministry—is in a position to take charge. difficulty in selecting as Premier whatever member of Parliament may appear to me to have the better prospect of support. ”

“ It may possibly be asked why do you not appoint your present Executive to be Ministers until after the elections and so conform to, at all events, the form of the New Constitution? My reply is, that there is nothing to be gained by such a course; that there is practically nothing for the ad interim Government to do beyond seeing that the work of the Departments is kept up to date, and the routine business of Government discharged ”

“ The "Advertiser" congratulates Western Australia on establishment Responsible Government. Heartily welcome you back to Australia, and is confident your administration under new conditions will be most successful. ”

“ In the old country all hearts are in sympathy with you on this auspicious occasion. The Queen herself was graciously pleased to express to me the warmest interest in your welfare; her Ministers wish you well; politicians watch with interest the extension of Parliamentary Government which is now taking place; thousands of intending settlers, attracted by recent discussions and events, are probably at this moment turning their attention to your shores ”

“ The Judges' opinion may be briefly stated to be, that until some moral or absolute necessity can be shown to exist for the retirement of the present holders of office, the political grounds for such retirement cannot be said to have presented themselves. Under these circumstances, it is very clear that any attempt to form a Government upon the principles of the responsibility of the members to Parliament must be premature ”

“ But, beyond all this, and much as I should personally like to install a political ministry without an hour's delay, there are two practical constitutional objections to such a course, which appear to me to be fatal, and to which, more or less directly, I have referred. ”

“ There shall be an Executive Council for the Colony, and the said Council shall consist of such persons as are now members thereof or may at any time be members thereof in accordance with any law enacted by the Legislature of the Colony, and of such other persons as the Governor shall, from time to time, in our name and on our behalf, but subject to any law as aforesaid, appoint under the public seal of the Colony to be members of our said Executive. ”