LIFE OF PARLIAMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22326, 28 July 1934, Page 2

LIFE OF PARLIAMENTS

VICTORIAN PROPOSAL SUGGESTED INCREASE TO FIVE YEARS. It Is of interest to note that while a Bill is at present before the New Zealand House of Representatives providing for a permanent extension of the duration of Parliament a similar proposal is being discussed with respect to the Victorian State Parliament. Although the question has not yet been discussed ns a matter of Ministerial policy (says the Melbourne Argus) a suggestion has been made by some of the senior members of tbe State Cabinet that the Ministry, in the interests of stable government, should seriously consider a proposal to lengthen the life of the State Parliament from three to five years. They state that, although it would not he necessary to take a referendum on the subject, the Ministry, at the general election next year, should seek a mandate for the proposal from the people. It was explained officially that the proposal could be effected by an amendment of the Constitution Act Amendment Act, which fixes the life oi the Parliament of three years from the date of its first meeting. The supporters of tire proposal contend that under the present system the effective life of Parliament is only about two years, and that such a period is altogether inadequate for a longrange legislative programe. Owing to 1 lie brief life of Parliament much important legislation has to b<> jettisoned, they snv and frequently a Ministry which enters office with every intention of putting into effect a comprehensive programme finds the election upon it before half its work has been done. In the current session, it was stated, important legislation had to be held over because of lack of lime. The Ministry had been considering the introduction of a comprehensive consolidating measure relating to company law, which had been prepared by the Attorney-general (Mr Menzios), bur, owing to pressure of business, it would not be possible to introduce it this year. When proposals to lengthen the life of the South Australian Parliament were discussed last year, the Premier (Sir Stanley Argyle) said that ho thought highly of the proposal, because short Parliaments did not tend towards stability of policy. He added that he would not contemplate such action in Victoria without, a mandate from the people.