THE DURATION OF PARLIAMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21307, 11 April 1931, Page 10

THE DURATION OF PARLIAMENT.

The Prime Minister has refuted the suggestion, industriously circulated by members of the Labour Party, that an extension of the term of the present Parliament will be proposed. There are, no doubt, a number of taxpayers who consider that the postponement of the expenditure of £70,000 or

£BO,OOO upon the general electios would be desirable in existing circumstances. , It is precisely the existing circumstances that make it a matter of importance that the general election should take place this year in the ordinary course. It would be of distinct advantage to the country if a stable Government were in power to cope satisfactorily with the difficulties consequent upon what has been called “the economic blizzard.”'” We have not had the benefit of the existence of a stable Government during the course of this Parliament. It is unfortunate that in a time like this a Government should hold office that is the representative of a minority of the members of the elected House and the representative of a minority of the electors. A Government which has to turn first to one section of the House and then to another section of the House for the support it requires to carry the

legislation it introduces does not possess the power and the independence that are essential if it is to discharge with full efficiency the responsibilities that are placed upon it. The operation of the three-party system in Parliament is at all times apt to be highly unsatisfactory, but the mischief of it is most evident when, as in our own case, the party that is in office is not actually the strongest of the three parties. It is disappointing that the two parties between which the differences are least serious have not recognised the wisdom of uniting their forces in order that a stable Government might be ■ secured. The supporters of both of them in the country would almost certainly regard a fusion as in the best interests of the Dominion and would, therefore, welcome it.