The sun., 1900-05-08
Canadian Commissions In tho British
Army

The dispute about the terms on which the
Dominion may he more closely connected
with Great Britain is suspended for the
discussing the principle upon which the
commissions in the Imperial Army offered
to Canadians shall he awarded. The repre-
sentatives OF the Liberal Government. now
in power at Ottawa. hold that the commits
sions should be distributed by the Gov
ernor General in Council-that is to say,
in compliance with the advice OF the Min
lister of Militia. The Conservatives. on their
part, maintain that the commissions form
no part Of the spols pertaining TO the pre-
ponderant party. but that, as the recipients
will be officers. not of the Canadian Militia.
but of the Imperial Army. they should be
chosen by the Governor General exclusively
British Crown and on the advice OF non
partisan board OF examiners
The correspondence on the subject which
has taken place between the British Govern
ment and the Government Of the Dominion
was submitted last week 10 the Ottawa
House Of Commons The home authorities
originally proposed that the allotment OF
the new commissions offered should be
made by the Imperial Officer commanding
tho Canadian forces. The Dominion Govern
ment replied that the General commanding
the Canadian forces was an officer appointed
by the Government Of Canada, and was
subordinate To the Minister OF Militia:
ment was to be regarded as respon-
sible for the appointments these must
be made in the usual way. TO wit. by
the Governor General on the advice OF his
Ministers. The Constitutional position thus
taken was not impugned by Mr. CHAMBER
LAIN in SO many words. Nevertheless his
original proposal was only slightly modified
The Secretary for the Colonies said tha, the
candidates for the commissions should be
designated by the Governor General after
consulting with his Ministers and Imperial
officers, and lists OF candidates should he
submitted to Lord MISro through the
Ministers with their recommendations. but
nevertheless " the responsibility for final
selection should remain with the Governor
General"
The response madc to this suggestion by
the Canadian Ministers was. according to
the Toronto Globe. the only one constitu-
tonally possible. 1t was admitted that the
appointments would be Imperial appoint
ments. and that the Imperial authorities
would be at liberty to adopt any course they
chose in order to satisfy themselves OF the
comparative fitness of candidates Should
they prefer 70 act on the personal advice Of
the Governor General no one could gainsay
them. Should they. on the other hand. de-
sire the advice Of the Canadian Ministers
that advice must be given In the regular
Constitutional way; the final responsibility
must rest with the Ministers, who would be-
liable to be called to account for il by the
representatives Of the people Of Can
ada in Parliament The correspondence
closed with an appeal on the part
Of Mr. CHAMBERI.,IN 10 the Canadian
Ministers to try a middle course. at present
unknown to the Constitution either Of Great
Britain or of the Dominion That il 10 sav.
the Canadian Ministers and Imperial
officers " were to make recommendations
TO the Governor General. but the latter was
not to be bound to follow their advice, the
final responsibility resting exclusively with
himself
The Globe AYERS that Sir WIIFEID LAr-
RIRE and his colleagues will scarcely be
accused Of too strict adherence TO Consti-
tutiond usage il they decline to adopt Mr.
CHAMBERLAIN RIO media. II points out
that the Constitution of the Dominion
knows no such thing as an act OF Govern
ment other than an act done on the advice
of responsible Ministers The Crown, rep
resf nted by tho Governor General has
no independent authority in governing.
It Is recognized simply rs the head
of the state. guiding the Government
Of the country as il is advised by the Min
isters OF the day. II, therefore. Sir WILFRID