stry may Be Overthrown.*--A fundamental maxim of the
constitution to-day is that a cabinet shall continue in office only so
long as it enjoys the confidence and support of a majority in the
House of Commons. There are at least four ways in which a
parliamentary majority may manifest its dissatisfaction with a
cabinet, and so compel its resignation. It may pass a simple vote (p. 071)
of "want of confidence," assigning therefor no definite reason. It may
pass a vote of censure, criticising the cabinet for some specific act.
It may defeat a measure which the cabinet advocates and declares to be
of vital importance. Or it may pass a bill in opposition to the advice
of the ministers. The cabinet is not obliged to give heed to an
adverse vote in the Lords; but when any of the four votes indicated is
carried in the lower chamber the premier and his colleagues must do
one of two things--resign or appeal to the country. If it is clear
that the cabinet has lost the support, not only of Parliament, but
also of the electorate, the only honorable course for the ministry is
that of resignation. If, on the other hand, there is doubt as to
whether the parliamentary majority really represents the country upon
the matters at issue, the ministers are warranted in requesting the
sovereign to dissolve Parliament and to order a general election. In
such a situation the ministry continues tentatively in office. If at
the elections there is returned a majority disposed to support the
ministers, the cabinet is given a new lease of life. If, on the other
hand, the new parliamentary majority is adverse, no course is open to
the ministry save to retire. The new parliament will be convoked at
the earliest practicable date; but in advance of its assembling the
defeated cabinet will generally have resigned and a new government,
presided over by the leader of the late Opposition, will have assumed
the reins. During the interval required for the transfer of power none
save routine business is likely to be undertaken.

*76. Secrecy of Proceedings.*--Perpetually responsible to the House of
Commons and imperatively obligated to resign collectively when no
longer able to command a working majority in that body, the cabinet
must at all times employ every device by which it may be enabled to
present a solid and imposing front. Two such devices are those of
secrecy and the leadership of the premier. It is a sufficiently
familiar principle that a group of men