The Executive Council.

The members of the Executive Council are appointed by the Governor, and may be removed at his pleasure, but His Excellency is expected to act, as nearly as may be, in accordance with the wishes of the people as expressed by the forms and usages generally understood as party tactics. The Premier holds considerable power, as he may at any time place in His Excellency's hands the resignation of himself and party. They are chosen from both Houses, but mainly from the elected body. About a score of portfolios are divided among six Ministers, and two are “without portfolio.” The Premier's salary is £1000, and his ministerial colleagues receive £800 per annum each.

The present is the twenty-seventh Ministry since the establishment of responsible government in 1856, the average life of Ministries in New Zealand being, therefore, about a year and a half. The longest term enjoyed by any Ministry was a little over five years, the Stafford Ministry taking office on the 2nd of June, 1856, and retiring on the 12th of July, 1861. Responsible Government was but twenty-six days old when this, the third Ministry, came into power, the two preceding administrations having each lived thirteen days. But even these were not the shortest lived, for there have been two of twelve days each, and one of six. Seventy-eight honourable gentlemen have, for shorter or longer periods held appointments on the Executive Council since the 7th of May, 1856.

A slight variation in the methods of Party Government has more than once been proposed in the shape of an Act to provide for the election of the Executive Council; and there is a strong probability that this will rank among the reforms which must follow the complete enfranchisement of the adult population which now obtains in this Colony. page 20 A majority in the Lower House has not yet been secured, but each time the Bill is introduced it gains numerical assistance; and, judged in the light of history, it may be said to have an excellent chance of becoming law at no very distant date. The proposal is that the Executive Council shall consist of seven members elected by and from the House of Representatives, and one by and from the Upper Chamber. Six of those elected by the Lower House are to hold the portfolios, including the Premiership, and the other two members of the Executive are to be “without portfolio.” It is proposed that the Executive shall be elected immediately on the assembling of a new Parliament, and continue in office until their successors shall be elected by the next Parliament, except that the Governor or a majority in Parliament may remove Ministers, if such course be deemed desirable.