Three-Year Term Upheld

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30190, 23 July 1963, Page 16

Three-Year Term Upheld

(NJ. Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 22. A move that the Parliamentary term be extended was defeated after strong opposition at the Dominion conference of the National Party in Wellington today.

One of the opponents, Mr T J Dunleavy, Mid: “A good Government such as we have got ha* got nothing to fear from a short term.”

The remit suggesting an extended term came from four electorates and was moved by Mr W L ClintonBaker (Wairarapa),

“We would like delegates to consider what a terrific impact it would be for the country at the present time if we had. My for argument a four-year term " he said

The Government's “steady does it" policy was now bearing fruit and it would be able to have another year of constructive legislation without an aye on the ballot bo*.

“In actual tact we will never have a measure of consnrurtive government until we get a longer term." he added Mr Clinton-Baker asked that the Government should put the matter as a referendum to the people as soon as it felt able to do so.

Mr W. H. Hyde (Napier) said there was an element of risk in the remk Most people who favoured an increase in the term of Parliament did so solely on the basis of increased efficiency he said With that there could be no argument.

If the question were being put to the people of Britain. Canada or Australia, there could be no objection because Hl those countries either had a constitution or what might •mount to a constitution and all had two-chamber Governments to act as a, shield against an abuse of power. New Zealand had none of these safeguards “Because of this, many people would view this proposal with horror It would mean ,wo extra years for a Socialist Government and for Policies repugnant to anv member of this conference. If the Socialists had a 75 per cent majority, they could ex-

tend the life of their Govern, ment still longer. That would be ultimate dictatorship,” Mr Hyde said. “While thia may seem unlikely today, who would dare to predict the pressures to which New Zealand could be subjected in the years to come? And why should the National Party subscribe to a policy which would assist the road to totalitarianism?" he asked

A three-year term might be expensive and to some extent inefficient, but single-chamber government had elements of safety that had a distinct attraction to those who gave consideration to personal freedom

Mr Dunleavy referred to what he called “the wellknown Budget of 1958" and asked: “Would that have been sc significant at the last election if Labour had got an extra two years to sweeten •he electorate's palate? He commented: “I believe it is the essence of democracy that a government should be in accordance with the wishes of the people and the more regular you have your elections. the better it is” The remit was lost on.a vote.