The Dominion. FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1934. FOUR-YEAR PARLIAMENTS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 251, 20 July 1934, Page 10

The Dominion. FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1934. FOUR-YEAR PARLIAMENTS

Much capital was made by the Labour Party during the recess from the action of the Government in extending the hfe of the present Parliament by one year. It will be interesting to note the party s reaction to the Bill, of which notice has been given by the Prime Minister, to make four-year Parliaments a permanent institution, it is possible to understand Labour’s attitude to a temporary expedient, dictated by a grave national crisis, which postponed for one yeai its appeal to the electorate. But it would be hard to understand its opposition to a proposal from which it would benefit— if and when it might be returned to power—on equal terms with its opponents. In a three-year Parliament the first year is devoted to a settling down and a restatement of election slogans, the second to serious business, and the third to electioneering, Four-year Parliaments wou.g provide at least two working-sessions, and an appreciable saving o the country in election expenses. In other British countries, excep Australia, the full life of Parliament is four or five years. the strongest argument for extending it beyond three years ,is that y ensures a greater degree of political stability, apd this m turn i= reflected in more stable conditions in the industrial and commercial life of the country. People are able to plan ahead with greater confidence, secure in the knowledge that changes of policy resulting from change of Government are likely to be less frequent. Under a four-year system, moreover, Parliament should be able to-give more deliberate consideration to the questions engaging its attention. There should be less slipshod legislation, and more time for the sounding of opinions concerning the nature and effect of the measures introduced. Members would have more time to devote to their constituencies and inquire into constituents’ needs. In general the feeling that Parliament would have more elbow-room in respect of time and opportunity should tend to a more business-like temper in the Legislature. As things are at present a member no sooner takes his seat in Parliament than he begins to set about “making his marble good for the next election. ' An extra year of Parliamentary life would not entirely eradicate that obsession, but it would greatly diminish its pernicious effect on legislation. A fifth year would ensure even happier results but for the relief held out in the proposal for permanent four-year Parliaments the country will assuredly be grateful.