A JAPANESE EXAMPLE.
[To vs. Emma or rim “Srnornroa..]
Sax,—The correspondent who writes to you from Matsue, in Japan, under the above heading in last week's issue can scarcely have given the Japanese Constitution much study. So far from "the new-born country of the East" having modelled her own institutions on those of England, it is a well-known fact that Prince Ito, in framing the Japanese Constitution, was indebted far more to German than to British example. Tho whole framework of the Japanese Parliamentary system is that of an advisory rather than a legislative body, the Ministers having a seat in either House, and taking part in the proceedings by virtue of their appoint- ment by the Emperor, not as elected or nominated members. What validity there is in the argument that, as Japan followed our example rather than her own experience in setting up a Second Chamber, we should forthwith follow her example
rather than our experience and maintain a Second Chamber, it is somewhat difficult to apprehend, and the fact that the
majority of members in the Japanese House of Peers
is nominated or elected seems to make the suggested parallel still more incomplete. I shall not follow your corre-
spondent in his remarks on the dismissal of officials in Japan
for reasons of retrenchment, which ho contrasts with the appointment of officials under the new social legislation of England. As one who has resided for a quarter of a century in Japan, and may claim to know something of the condition. in both countries, the parallel or contrast seems to me mean- ingless. But if we are to take example by Japan; why stop at
Second Chambers and administrative retrenchment P From a telegram in Wednesday's papers I note that the Japanese Budget Committee has enasimously struck out of the Naval Estimates a huge sum demanded by the Naval Department for armament expansion. Surely, if the examples quoted by your correspondent are worthy of emulation, we should take into consideration one which bears on our own case with some directness.—I am, Sir, etc., ROBERT YOUNG,
Bardowie, Sydenhast Hill, S.E.
Editor Bunn Chronicle.
Previous page
