DIVISION OF VIEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21879, 15 August 1934, Page 13

DIVISION OF VIEWS

GOVERNMENT AND LABOUR early election urged ADJOURNMENT OF DEBATE [by TELEGRAPH PRESS association] WELLINGTON. Tuesday The second reading debate on the Electoral Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-night was continued after Mr. Forbes and Mr. Savage had spoken. Mr. J. A. Lee (Labour —Grey Lynn) said Labour did not believe in fouryear Parliaments The Government realised that if an election were held at the usual time it would be "given the bird." Mr. A. M. Samuel (IndependentThames) said nothing much could be said in opposition to the bill, but nothing could be said in favour of it. He believed there would be deep resentment against any member who voted for a four-year term when he was elected for three. He had been asked by branches of the Farmers' Union in his district to protest against the measure.

Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour— Napier) said there was no need for the bill. There was a strong desire among the people for an election as soon as possible. Mr. C. H. Clinkard (Government — Rotorua) supported the four-year term. He said an election never cost him less than £l5O. Mr. P. Eraser (Labour—Wellington Central) said the Government had no idea of the feeling of the people regarding the election, it was treating electors in a most unwarranted manner. Three years should be sufficient to allow the Government to carry out its policy. Such, men as Grey, Ballance and Seddon did not require or ask for more than that term, which for 55 years proved the most useful and most democratic period. Mr. H. M. Campbell (Government — Hawke's Bay) considered the term should be four years for a start, and it could be extended later to five if found necessary. Mr. F. Langstone (Labour —Waimarino) said the bill was merely to smother up legislation. He protested against an extension of time which was wrong in principlo and pernicious in practice. People were justified in claiming an election this year. Mr. D. S. Reid (Government —Raglan) said he was convinced that fouryear Parliaments would produce better legislation, as members would have more experience.

Mr. R. Semple (Labour—Wellington East) said ho believed the weight of evidence in the country favoured threeyear Parliaments. There was no urgent need for the measure and the people should be consulted before it was passed. The debate was interrupted by the rising of the House. STATE MORTGAGES REDUCED INTEREST URGED [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Tuesday In view of the fact that the Rural Intermediate Credit Board has reduced the rate of interest to 5 per cent to farmers, Mr. P. A. de la Perrelle (Government —Awarua) asked the Minister of Finance, in the Honso of Representatives to-day, if he wovdd favourably consider making a reduction of 1 per cent in the existing rate of interest on State Advances mortgages. Mr. Coates asked that the question be placed on the Order Paper.