"EXTREMELY CLOUDY"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 248, 14 July 1919, Page 4

"EXTREMELY CLOUDY"

HON. G. W. RUSSELL ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION. By TclesraDh—Press Association. Chrisi'ihjrch, July 12. "The political position is extremely cloudy," said the Hon. '.i. W. I!itssell today. ''Until the lenders return it is impossible to say what ir.uy take place. They wili probably reach Nov/ Zealand between August 10 and August 15. The date for the openin,,' of the session has not yet been fixed. Parliament will bo prorogued until August 11, but probably before that date a fresh Proclamation will bo made ordering Parliament to meet for the dispatch of business. It is impossible to forecast the dale of the general election. As to the. issues put before the country at the general elec f tion, I imagine iho predominant issue in the minds of the people, will be that of loyalty to Empire and to (he soldiers, and of loyally to the laws of the Innd. Whatever may bo said with regard to the National 'Government," Mr. Russell added, "this at least stands to its credit —that under its regime \ew Zealand sent away 100,000 of the finest troops who appeared on the fields of battle in Europe. Palestine, and .other areas. The first question,' therefore, for the people of the country to consider is not whether' the National Government: or any coalition that may 1m formed shall be handed the reins, but' whether these icins nro to bo handed over to the disloyalists in the country."