RETIREMENT OF M.P.'S

Chronicle (Levin), 13 September 1947, Page 5

RETIREMENT OF M.P.'S

(N.Z.P.A.—

-Reuter*

Need Seen For Men Who Are More Yirile

Comright)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. A proposal to retire - elderly members of Parliament qn - peiLsions, so enabling the Liabqur Party to regain its virility apd strength, is discussed in an artiele in th'e current issue of the official jo.urnal pf the waterside workers, It is apparent, the artiele states, that the a-ge factor will have tq be considered if the Labonr Party is to maintain, or- regain,' its yirility and strength. ■ ' It is evident, ' ' the artiele co.mtinues," "that the crusader spirit which marked Labour's rise to poAver has diminished as the burden of years has descended ppon the leadership of the parfy. We had eyidence of this at the last General Eleetion. Far from coneentrating on the needs pf the future, jaded Cabinet Mipisters. stpmped the eountry talking in terms of past achievement. "When politicians look backward instead of forward, progress marks time. Glandular treatmeut is indicated. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, it is not possible to rejuvenate Elder Stqtesmen. "It is" possible, however, to replace them. This, is a thankless task, but it is one which seleetion committees will have to face in the interests of their party, and at no distant date." The artiele submits that "the problem of the aged niember of Parliament" would aiitomatieally solve itself if legislation provided for the compulsory retirement of politicians reaching the age of say, 65 years pt the date of aGeneral Eleetion. A sup.eranTiuation scheme Could be provided. Undoubtedl.y, the reluctance of seleetion committees to dNcard aged members in favour of younger men was due to the absence of a scheme of the kind. From time to time, when eulogies of some departed member had been made in the House, continues the artiele, the stress and strain of public life had beeu called a contributing factor to the demise. "Such admissions," the artiele states, "surely constitute a chalienge to Parliament to put its own House iu order, as it could easily do by passing legislation along the lines indicated. "The expression, ' 'Til death do us part,' should have no application to Parliament."