FOUR-YEAR PARLIAMENTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 261, 3 November 1932, Page 9

FOUR-YEAR PARLIAMENTS

BILL INTRODUCED.

ttCEHSXNG POIXS. : AUTOMATIC EXTENSION. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary ■ Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. • Four-yearly Parliaments in New Zealand are to be permanently established by the Government's Electoral Amendment Bill, which was read a first time in the House yesterday. Under last session's legislation , the possible duration of the present Parliament was extended, by. one year. The purpose of the new measure is to extend the eame provision to subsequent Parliaments,; thus making a maximum interval of four years between general elections. The extension of time between licensing polls is automatic, since the existing licensing, legislation provides that the licensing' poll is to be taken on the same day as the general election, and that the next referendum shall bo held simultaneously with the second general election held afte'r August 31, 19<U — the date upon which the Licensing Poll Postponment Act was passed. Under the present law the election of members of licensing committees follows the triennial - licensing •■ poll, and the bill now before Parliament makes the necessary consequential amendment, providing in effect that, the licensing jommittee elections also shall be held t four-yearly periods. .