LIFE OF PARLIAMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 111, 11 April 1931, Page 2

LIFE OF PARLIAMENT

EXTENSION NOT CONTEMPLATED. DEFINITE STATEMENT BY PREMIER. (By Telegraph—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, April 10. A definite announcement that the extension of the life of Parliament beyond the three-year term is not contemplated by the Government was made by Mr G. W. Forbes in an interview* with the “Standard’s” representative this afternoon. Suggestions have been freely made that as an economy measure there should be an extension for at least two years, and lobby gossip has it that certain members are in favour of such a move. Labour members, however, make no secret of the fact that they would welcome an election at the present time, believing that they would score as a result of the Government’s wage reducing policy. The Reform Party has no desire to play into the hands of Labour, but it holds the opinion that the postponement of the General Election would not meet with approval in the country’.

“The electorate Iras a right to express its opinion,” said one Reform member to-day, “and we have no right to say that an expression of that opinion should be delayed beyond the normal time.”

The possibilities of fusion between the United and Reform Parties appear to be as remote as ever. Tire Reform Party, it is stated, will maintain the present working arrangement with the Government in the meantime, but the rank and file of the party are not prepared to go beyond that. The Reform Party, it is believed, is not prepared to link up with the Government, but is anxious to go to the country as a separate entity.

When the question of the extension of the life of Parliament was mentioned to Mr Forbes, he smilingly replied that there was no ground for any rumour to that effect. No overtures, he said, had been made to the Government in the matter, and he made it clear that no prolongation of the ordinary three-year term was contemplated by the Government. The only reference he had heard were those made in the House by tire Labour Party. OF FUSION.

In reply to a question concerning the fusion of the United and Reform Parties, the Prime Minister gave a similar reply. He denied that any representations had been made to him by the Reform Party, and added that any such suggestion which might be in circulation must emanate from unofficial circles. The matter had not been discussed by the United Party. Tire suggestion no doubt arose through the support given by the Reform Party to the Government’s wage and salary reduction proposals, but whether the co-operation of the Reform Party would continue or not would depend presumably on the nature of the Legislative proposals yet to be brought before Parliament.