WAR AND ELECTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 227, 24 September 1940, Page 6

WAR AND ELECTIONS.

We should let the razor blade of common sense cut deeply through conventionalism and all that is valueless when .the Empire is facing with stern reality the greatest war in history. Thus the postponement of the elections if the war laete is for the Government to decide what is in the best interests of the people of the Dominion. Those wishing to carry on in normal ways should etop for a moment and see what we can learn from past experience. The general election of 1917 was postponed till 1919 during the Great War, but the local body elections were held as usual in 1917. Little interest was shown and nearly all the old members were returned to their former positions. Mr. Massey saw later that it would have been wise if there had been a postponement, just as Mr. Seddon «=aid. that it was wrong to hold the local body elections in 1900, right in the middle of the South African War. Former members were just put back again. It is not good to hold elections if it gives the ehirker and the "crank" a chance to expound their views what we should all be united. While the war is on, the "allin" policy domands that elections do not count much till we have won. W. K. HOWTTT.