FIVE YEARS’ TERM OF OFFICE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 277, 23 November 1936, Page 2

FIVE YEARS’ TERM OF OFFICE

SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S HOPES I ADELAIDE, Nov. 2. | Although the Ministry feels confid ; ent that it has the numbers to pass through both Houses its Bill to make' permanent provision for five year parliaments in South Australia, political observers are curious to know where the support is coming from. Apparently the Government expects Liberals who voted against r ne measure previously to change their attitude. There were four of these in the I Assembly, where on the present Con stitution of the House, the Govern ; ment will need the support of leas ■ two to give it the required unwrity i Labour will be united in its attack on the measure, and if any reversals ! of attitude occur in the Liberal ranks during the second reading debate the ministry will be charged with political bargaining. Labour speakers will also say that the Government’s enthusiasm for permanent five-year parliaments has been prompted by the belief that the electoral redistribution to provide for single electorates will enable the Liberal Government to remain in office after the next elections. Bitter Debate. There will be a protracted and bitter debate and instead of ending in a few days as members had previously expected, the session is now likely to be prolonged by at least three weeks. For four years the Premier (Mr. Butler) has been the envy of other government leaders in Australia, because of his success after the eleci tion to office in 1933, in obtaining | the sanction of his Parliament for i a five-year term. | His original Bill provided for a permanent alteration to the constitution, but the Government finally accepted the Legislative Council’s amendment to make the longer term applicable to the present parliament only.