FOURTH YEAR OF LIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21175, 6 May 1932, Page 11

FOURTH YEAR OF LIFE.

DURATION OF PARLIAMENT. COMPLETING THE PROGRAMME. DEFENCE BY MR. FORBES. [m telegraph.—press association.J WELLINGTON, Thursday. Referring to the clause in the Finance Bill extending (he life of th e present Parliament for a further year, the Hon. \Y. Downie Si.cwnrL INlinister of Customs, said members liar) spoken of the Russian five-year plan. Tf (lie five-year plan in Russia required five years to he put into effect, then a four-year plan in New Zealand required four years to be put into effect.

Mr. M. J. Savage (Labour —Auckland West) expressed the opinion that the Government would be decimated if it faced the electors at present. It was its realisation of the opinion of the electors that actuated it in seek:ng to extend the life of the present Parliament. "I ho Minister o - ' Finance referred to the live-year plan," Sir. Savage continued. "'Russia has a plan. If New Zealand has one, I would like to seo it. We are simply muddling along." " A Coward's Castle." Mr. J. O'Brien (Labour —Wcstland) also objected to the proposal. lie said acts of that kind had created upheaval in other countries. Trie Government had put itsell' in a coward's castle, where people could not approve or disapprove, and had then prepared a clause preventing criticism bv members of the Civil Service.

Mr. H. G. It. Mason (Labour —Auckland Suburb. l .) slid while children might suffer and teachers lose employment, all the Ministry was concerned about was the saving of its cwn skin by extending the life of Parliament, lie quoted from an oversea legal jcurnal the opinion that colonial Governors would have the power to decline to assent to legislation promoted by a Goverr merit for the prolongation of its own lifs.

Mr. H. M. Campbell (Government — Hawke's Bay) said lie had informed questioners at election time that he was in favour of extending the life of Parliament and hig only regret now was that the Government, had not made the extension applicable :or all time, instead of restricting it, to tlie present Parliament. The Primo Minister, the Et. Hon. G. W. F orbes, said it would bp admitted that no Parliament had ever had a more difficult task to face than at present. The Government was endeavouring to meet its obligations, and it was a question of how long it would require to see its job through—the. job i', had been given a free band to perform. The Primo Minister, the Et. Hon. G. W. Forbes, intimated that a proposal would be bi ought, forward later with a view to establishirg the permanent principle of four-year Parliaments. Mr. Forbes said never before in its history had conditions in New Zealand been so difficult. Getting Back to Normal. "Anyone with any forethought, can see it will take us snue time to get back to normal conditions," continued Mr. Forbes. "The Government has faced the position. It has had to do disagreeable things. Among other things, the question has arisen of how long it will take us to do the job. We have had to face up to things we did not anticipate when we were returned ast election. It. may require any time i p to four years to put our plan into opciation. That does not necessarily mean I,lis Parliament will run for four years.

Mr. Walter Nash (Labour— Hutt) : I hope not. Mr. Forbes: The Government has the right to have an election when it feels that it. is necessary. I cannot prophesy. Parliament may r.in for four years, and it may only run three. The Leader of 'he Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland : It won't be as long as that. _ M". lorbes: We were up against a similar question last year. The slump came and I was prepared then to extend Parliament for t >vo years to put the programme through. Now that we are extending Parliament for one year, I consider we are doirig a businesslike thing. It will enable us !o put through our programme. I believe a permanent fouryear Parliament vcild be better than a three-year Parliament. There will be opportunity before this Parliament ends [ to say whether or not wo should have a permanent four-year Parliament. "We went to the last election with the dice loaded against us," continued Mr. Forbes. "Labour had all the advantages, with the Public Service smarting from the wage cuts anc: with the general order of tho Arbitration Court reducing other wages. lam convinced one of the things necessary is a four-year Parliament, especially when we have a big job in hand." CHAMBER OP COMMERCE VIEW. STEP CONSIDERED IMPROPER. Opposition to this Government's proposal to extend the life of Parliament has been expressed by the Chamber of Commerce. A telegram was sent to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, stating that such a step was considered unconstitutional and irnpioper unless a mandate was obtained from the people by referendum.

"The Prime M nister lias replied that he 'would note t.ie representations,' but it, is evident he is going on with it," said the president, Mr. A. M. Seaman. "It is worse than silly." Notification was received that the Associated Chambers' executive was considering Hie question of a reduction in the number of mernl:ers of Parliament. It was decided to forward to the executive a letter from a person offering £5 toward the cost of preparing a petition to Parliament.

EDUCATIONAL CHANGES. AGE LIMITS OF PUPILS. TEACHERS AND SALARIES. [TIT TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. The majority o' the Government's proposals for giving effect to economies in education can be carried out without the necessity of legislation and in many cases the necessary action has already been taken. In other cases, amendments are required in the regulations and that mailer is now in hand. However, there are several clauses in the Finance Bill to give effect to educational changes which could not, otherwise he made. Of the greatest general interest is the clause ra sing the minimum age for admission to primary schools from five to six years, as was recommended by the National Expenditure Commission. It is further provided that no child over school age, namely 15, shall, without special leave of the committee, be on the roll of any public school other than a district high school. These provisions do not alfect children already on the school roll.

Another clause provides that- where n school is reduced in grade and the same teacher remains in charge, an over-scale salary shall not be allowed for a longer period than one year, or in the case where a 6u:itablo position is offered to such a teacher and is declined, the over-scale salary shall be payable only for a period of threo months.