LIFE OF PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1931, Page 8

LIFE OF PARLIAMENT

STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER. WELLINGTON, April 10. The definite announcement that a» extension of the life of Parliament beyond the three-year term is not contemplated by (.the Government was made by Air Forbes in sji interview with the representative ot the “Times” this afternoon. Suggestions have been lively madthat as an economy measure there should be an extension for at least two vears, and lobby gossip has it that certain members are in favour of such a move. Labour iner>->i.nr« howev ,J r, make no secret of the tact that they would welcome an election at th, pr’,senl time, believing that they would score as the result ol the Government’s wage-reducing policy. Ihe Reform Party has no desire to play into the bauds of Labour, but it bolds tbe opinion that a postponement of the general elect-ion would not meet with approval in the country. RIGHT OF THE ELECTORATE. “The electorate has a right to express its opinion,’’ said one Reform member to-day, “and wv lifH’o no right to say that the expression of that opinion should lie delayed beyond the normal time.” 'Pile possibilities ol tusion between the United and Reform Parties appear to he as remote as ever. The Reform Party, it is stated. w-U maintain the present working arrangement with the Government in 'he meantime, but the -rank ami fill* of the party are not prepared to go beyond that. The Reform Party, it is ’-"'"'ved, is not prepared to link in with the Government, hut is anxious to go to the country as a separate entity. When the micstion of the ext'-nsmn of tile life of Parliament was mentioned to Mr Forbes, he smi'bV' 1 - vCnF-m that there was no ground for any rumour to that efioet. No overtures, he said, had been made to the Government in the matter and In- made it clear that no nrolonention ot the ordinary three-year term was contemplated by the Governnmnt. The only references he had heard were those made in tin- House by the Labour Party. FUSION iNOT DISCUS’-'ED. In l-enly to a question concerning the fusion of the 1 nited and Reform Parties, the Prime Minister gave a similar reply. He denied that any r l - mvsentations had been made to him hv the Reform Party, and added that, anv such suggestion which might Inin circulation must emanate from outside official circles. The matter bad -ot been discussed bv die p ar tv This sugggestion, no doubt. •>rose through the support given by tin- Reform Party to the Government’s wage and salary reduction proposals, but whether the co-operation of the Reform Party would continue not would depend, presumably, on 1t,,, nature of l.b- Wislativ.. nrnposals ~,>t to be brought before Parliament. “Tt might he more; it might, be loss.” Mr Forbes added.