LIFE OF PARLIAMENT

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4401, 6 October 1934, Page 4

LIFE OF PARLIAMENT

FOUR YEAR PERIOD ADOPTED,

For the sixth time this session the life of Parliament issue was discussed' by the House of Representatives on Thursday, when consideration of the Electoral Amendment (No. 2) Bill providing for permanent four-year Parliaments, was resumed. The Bill lias already received a second reading, and urgency for the. remaining stages was claimed by the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes). This was* challenged by the Labour Party, hut the ui’gency motion was carried bv 3(5 votes to 23.

After a long discussion a division was taken at 11.15 p.m. on the short title, which was retained by 36 votes to 25. The only. Government member to vote with Labour against the short title was Mr J. Connolly (Mid-Canterbury). Independents who voted with Labour were Messrs 11. Atmore (Nelson), and A. M. Samuel (Thames). Messrs W. A. Veitch (Inti., Wanganui), and R. A. Wright (Inch, Wellington suburbs) voted with the Government.

No debate took place on the next clause, which provides for Parliamentary elections at intervals of four years. The clause was agreed to by*3s votes to 25. The distribution of the voting was much the same as before. Mr A. J. Stallworthv (Inch, Eden), who was not present for the first division, voted with Labour. Mr A. E. Anscll (Gov. Chalmers) and Mr AY. J. Munro (Lai)., Dunedin North), who A'oted with the Government and Labour respectively in the first division, did not vote on the second clause.

There was a debate on the third reading and the Bill was passed just before 1 o’clock in the morning.