GOVT. PROPOSAL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 217, 7 May 1932, Page 5

GOVT. PROPOSAL

("Post" Special Commissioner) .

extensiqn by one year of duration of parliament ACTIQN THREATENED

WELLINGTON, Friday: A contention that the Government had no power to increase the life of the present Parliament was put forward in the House this afternoon by Mr. J. McCombs (Labour, Lyttelton). Mr. McCombs asserted that, under its constitution, Parliament could fix any term it liked for the next and sncceeding Parliaments, but could not alter the term of the present one. In stating his case, Mr. McCombs said the present Parliament had neither the power nor the right to extend its term. Mr. J. A. Polson (Stratford) : What about the war period? "What was done during the war period was entirely contrary to the letter and spirit of the constitution," re joined Mr. McCombs. - He declared that any responsible person or group of persons could appeal to the Gov-ernor-General not to sign the bill and the Governor-General would not he able to do so, as he would be bound by the constitution. Although such action had not heen taken during the war period, that did not stop it being done now. The position had not been altered by the Statute of Westminster added Mr. McGombs, who said that if the [ Governor-General signed the bill, he would be creating the situation that in New Zealand there would be no Parliament for a period of one year. . The constitution laid it down that Parliament must be elected by the population of New Zealand and it had not been elected for an additional year. Only By People The only Parliament allowed under the constitution, was one elected by the people of New Zealand. Quoting from the constitutional authorities, Mr. McCombs said that while in Great Britain, it had' been recognised dur- . ing the war years that the Government had the power, but not the right, to extend its own life, there was no written constitution, while in New Zealand, there was. Last session of Parliament, it was made a condition by the United Party that the Coalition could only come about by extending the life of Parliament, he continued, but at that time it was stated that an extension would be illegal. If that was so, how was it legal now. If the present bill was sent to the secretary for the Dominions, even though it was passed by both Houses, it would have a rocky time ahead of it. If the bill got much further, the Leader of the Opposition would take such action as would surprise the House.