I have doubts whether it is advisable to adopt in its entirety the proposed plan for a new constitution. I express these views with some diffidence as I fully realise that my knowledge of the Siamese people is limited. On the other hand I have had a long experience with popular government. I am not one of those who believe that unlimited monarchy should continue to exist indefinitely in Siam. The time will undoubtedly come when some distribution of power will have to be made. I do not believe however that time has yet arrived.
There is one marked difference between the two important aspects of the proposed plan:— The creation of a Prime Minister and the creation of a Legislative Council with both legislative and administrative functions. While the creation of a Prime Minister would be an important change it cannot be deemed fundamental. At present His Majesty is His own Prime Minister and exercises His power as Chief Executive through responsible minister. The experiment of a Prime Minister can be tried without serious consequences even if it should prove unsuccessful.
The creation of a Legislative Council with a substantial number of elected members exercising both legislative and executive functions is of quite a different category. It is extremely difficult to withdraw political power once granted to the people.
