From the archive: Parliament on trial - 30 January, 1933

THE Parliamentary system of government is passing through a severe test in nearly all important countries.

Russia and Italy have with different degrees of frankness dispensed with it. The US has not yet been seriously troubled by misgivings about its political structure, but if economic conditions continue as they are and if Americans continue to demand high tariffs as well as payment in gold, dissatisfaction with the political system may make its appearance.

In Germany, General von Schleicher has placed his resignation in the hands of President von Hindenburg. For two or three years Germany has had difficulties with the parliamentary system and they have come to a head in the past year, so that there have been suggestions that the Reichstag should be dissolved and a kind of “super-party” Cabinet appointed with almost dictatorial powers.