The Guardian corporated the West Coast Times And Evening Star, with which is in- THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER, 22, 1932. LIFE OF PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1932, Page 4

The Guardian corporated the West Coast Times And Evening Star, with which is inTHURSDAY, SEPTEMBER, 22, 1932. LIFE OF PARLIAMENT.

One of the questions to be brought forward during the session of Parliament that opened this afternoon will be that of the life of Parliament. In the last session the life of the present Parliament was extended from three to four years, to meet the present difficult position of the country. In the course of a statement on the matter the Prime Minister stated that l the main reason for the charge as proposed, to extend permanently the life of Parliament from three to four years, and also the time of the talcing of licensing polls, was the widespread need for stability in carrying on the administration of the country. In past years frequently-occurring genoral elections and licensing polls had caused upset and disturbance in business generally, in addition to which heavy expenditure had been involved. There must he a stable Government, h,e continued. Last session, for very sound reasons, we extended the life o> the present Parliament by a year. We had a job to do and a policy to eanry out, and the extra year was vitai to its successful execution. It was a plan for economic reconstruction and rehabilitation which required that additional time. Now tlii'it the adjustment, as far ns the life of the present Parliament is concerned, lias been made, it is possible to give effect to the promise made last last session t,o institut" a system of four-yearly Parliaments for a l ' time. He gave an undertaking at the time that legislation would he presented, and a Bill will he duly placed before the

House. In' thiei opinion of the Premier, the House would welcome theproposal. Last session it was made clear that there was a general desire foi a permanent four-yearly Parliament, and he did not anticipate any difficulty woulllcl bo encountered in nlacing the legislation on the Statute Book. Even from the ranks of the Labour Party there was not likely tobe serious opposition. Mr Forbes said it did not always follow that Parliament ran its full term. If a,n adverse vote were carried in the Administration it was entitled, of course, to a resignation or to a di-solution. Whether this attitude will be followed remains to be seen, but it would appear that there will be no radical change in the conformation of the several political parties sufficient to cause a change in the administration during the present Parliament. .