DURATION OF PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22293, 20 June 1934, Page 6

DURATION OF PARLIAMENT

The Leader of the Opposition, in pursuance of Ids plan for making himself known throughout the country, is still industriously engaged in the platform campaign which he began early in the year. To the conventional vote of confidence in his party, which is passed .at the conclusion of each of his speeches, is now being added a “ demand ” for the dissolution of Parliament when the approaching session has come to an end. Mr Savage docs not himself seem to be arguing that the extension of the term of the present Parliament by one year is unconstitutional. The fact is that Parliament possesses such exceedingly wide powers that it is difficult to argue that they are exceeded in the prolongation by it of its term. The propriety of the exercise by it of its powers in such a way may be questioned, but the precedent that was established without challenge, during the war period in the extension of the term of'the Parliament of that time, is one that may not altogether unreasonably be invoked as applicable to the existing circumstances, when the Dominion is engaged in the process of the rehabilitation of its finances. _ If, however, it is not upon constitutional grounds that the cut-and-dried resolutions that are submitted at Mr Savage’s meetings are “demanding” a general election this year, it is possible that an explanation may be found in the belief of the leaders of the Labour Party that an election a few months hence would be more favourable to them than an election at the close of next year. In other words, they may be apprehensive lest the general conditions in the Dominion may have improved so greatly •by the time at which a deferred election would be held that the discontent with the Government that always* accompanies a season of depression will, to a large extent, have subsided. Whether that be so or not, the Labour Party is represented as determined to force a general election this year. How that is to be accomplished its leaders have not deigned to say. A dissolution this year can be forced only through the defeat of the Government on some vital issue, and a defeat of the Government can be effected only through a split in the Coalition or through the defection of several members who are supporters of the Coalition—a defection so definite as to lead them to cross the floor of the House and fall in behind Mr Savage. It is hardly imaginable that, the Labour Party entertains the smallest hope that either of these contingencies will be realised. And if its followers believe that reiterated asseverations that the party will force an'election have any substance in them they are likely to be seriously deceived.