LIFE OF PARLIAMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18849, 11 April 1931, Page 17

LIFE OF PARLIAMENT.

NO EXTENSION PROPOSED. NO NEGOTIATIONS FOR FUSION. By Telegraph—Presr Asfocu.ti'n. WELLINGTON. April 10. The possible extension of the life of Parliament was mentioned to the Prime Minister to-day. Mi* Forbes replied that there was no ground for any rumour to that effect. No overtures had been made to the Government in the matter, and he made it clear that no prolongation of the ordinary three-year term of Parliament was contemplated by the Government. In reply to a further question concerning a fusion of the United Party and the Reform Party, the Prime Minister gave a similar reply. He denied that any representations had been made to him by the Reform Party, and added that any such suggestion which might be in circulation must emanate from outside circles. The matter had not been discussed by the United Party. The idea no doubt arose through the support given by the Reform Party to the Government's wage and salary reduction programme, but whether the co-operation of the Reform Party would continue or not would depend presumably on the nature of the legislative proposals which had yet to be brought before Parliament. “It might be more; it might be less," Mr Forbes added.