INTEREST IN REFERENDUM

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31111, 14 July 1966, Page 12

INTEREST IN REFERENDUM

Parliamentary Term “The Constitutional Society is gratified at the amount of interest that has been aroused by its advocacy of a referendum of the electors on the question of the length of the parliamentary term,” said the president of the society. Sir Matthew Oram, yesterday. “It is obvious that many i influential national organisations are becoming increas- ■ ingly concerned at the detrimental effect on political policies resulting from the present three-year term, which has had serious economic consequences in election years and in those immediately following elections. “Although the Government has shown more courage this year than others have done in election years by refusing to court popularity with relaxations in import and other controls, it is by no means certain that its measures will be effective in arresting the alarming fall in our overseas funds, in spite of substantial I borrowing. “The arguments in favour of a longer term of Parliament seem irrefutable.” Sir Matthew Oram said. “There are many reforms in parliamentary procedure which are essential and we hope that they would be conceded more readily if a Government were installed in office for a more stable period.

“Triennial elections are definitely unsettling to the commercial community and all citizens suffer from the resultant uncertainty. “However, this is entirely a question for the electors to decide and the society has urged the Government to hold a referendum at the forthcoming general election,” Sir Matthew Oram said. “In order to avoid an inconclusive result, the electors should be asked first to answer whether they prefer the present or a longer term and if they support a longer term they should then state on the same ballot paper whether it should be four years or five years.”