The Christchurch Star PUBLISHED BY New Zealand Newspapers Ltd. Gloucester Street and Cathedral Square CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND. London Representatives : R. B. BRETT & SON NEW BRIDGE HOUSE, 30/34 NEW BRIDGE STREET LONDON. E.C.4. WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1934. FOUR-YEAR PARLIAMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 25 July 1934, Page 6

The Christchurch Star PUBLISHED BY New Zealand Newspapers Ltd. Gloucester Street and Cathedral Square CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND. London Representatives : R. B. BRETT & SON NEW BRIDGE HOUSE, 30/34 NEW BRIDGE STREET LONDON. E.C.4. WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1934. FOUR-YEAR PARLIAMENTS.

/~VF ALL the foolish legislation that the Coalition Government has introduced the four-year term for Parliament is the worst, for it cuts the ground from under the Government’s feet if it desires to show that the extension of its own life was an act of emergency. That extension was most improper if not uneonstitutionaf. The present Bill, however, does not camouflage that decision but merely unmasks a Reform stratagem, which was carefully stowed away at the last election for the very reason that the public would have none of it. The latest Bill is uncalled for, hut not unconstitutional, because only by such a process can an important issue be placed before the electors. But the electors, if they are wise, will make a major issue of this problem, which is a blow at democracy aimed by forces that have already proclaimed their contempt of public opinion in the same matter. THE RENNIE CASE. 'T'HE REINSTATEMENT of the relief worker Rennie at the instance of the Minister of Employment is satisfactory as a vindication of the authority of the Courts, but it is unsatisfactory if we consider that this man would not have had justice hut for the ventilation of his case in the newspapers. It is also unsatisfactory that the Minister should he troubled with details of this nature, and in the public interest it is desirable that lie should make an early pronouncement as to where the fault lies. A CRICKETING ANTI CLIMAX. * I 'ENNYSON might well he paraphrased in English comments on the latest cricketing anti-climax for Not once or twice in our rough island story, The rainy weather was the way to glory. But at least the Englishmen will have to play for the retention of the Ashes, for the last Test will be, as the French say, to the death. In fact, from the spectators’ point of view, and from the point of view of the “ gate,” things could not have fallen out more propitiously for the final Test. CONTROL OF MOTORING. ' I "'IIE REGULATIONS issued by the Transport Department have a human and not a departmental touch, which is to be noted in a revision of the official altitude towards drivers, who are to he given time in which to produce their licenses, and are not to be prosecuted without warning or after a great lapse of time. The regulations sweep away the absurd 40-mile limit on country roads, and by providing a 30-mile limit in boroughs discourage stupid parochialism that will not move with the times. The revocation of licenses by licensing authorities, however, plays into the hands ot the bureaucrat, even though an appeal before a magistrate is permitted, and the compulsory cancellation of licenses for intoxicated motorists should certainly not apply to those weak vessels who merely curl up in a motor-car and go to sleep. The rights of cyclists on main highways may have to he even more drastically curtailed than by a prohibition against riding abreast, for a cyclist on any narrow concrete road puts a dangerous bulge into traffic, and it would not he unreasonable to compel him to leave the concrete when signalled hv an overtaking car. In one other respect the regulations may yet have to be democratised, and that is in taking away from local bodies the right of reviewing the recommendations of their inspectors regarding prosecutions.