Parliamentary term

Press, 10 July 1979, Page 20

Parliamentary term

Sir, — The Planning Council and Chambers of Commerce are recommending a longer term of Parliament. This would be very dangerous as New Zealand has no written constitution and no upper house; in fact, the country could easily be taken over by a dictator. Are we not already on the way? Three years of bad Government is too long. — Yours, etc., W. FOOT. July 7, 1979. Sir, — Under the present Parliamentary term democracy is better served in the knowledge that at least a demotic change is allowed to take place every three years. To extend the present electoral method of a single party government would lessen what democratic opportunities we have for change. Under no circumstances should such extension be contemplated unless we also consider alternative methods of election that introduce a greater participation of other interests and parties in government (a truly representative Parliament) by giving people a vote that involves them more in deciding who shall govern them. Only proportional representation can do this satisfactorily. To select from European systems what can only be undemocratic disadvantages to New Zealand

while ignoring all the European democratic advantages — such as proportiosentation, can only make the Planning Council suspect. — Yours, etc., L. J. ROBINSON. July 8, 1979.