AN EARLY ELECTION

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 87, 9 October 1931, Page 8

AN EARLY ELECTION

(AT END OF NOVEMBER

ffHREE-PARTY CONTEST?

QUICK CLOSE TO SESSION

MUCH WORK TO BE DONE

English political happenings have clearly influenced affairs in New Zealand, for the opinion is now growing in Cabinet circles that an early General Election is desirable. It can be predicted that every effort will be made by the Coalition Government to pass through Parliament its limited programme with the object of making an appeal to the electors about the end of November.

It is hoped to get through the legislative programme disclosed in the Finance Minister's statement by the end of this month, but there is a'good deal of doubt over the possibility of managing this, as the Estimates for the year have not yet beon considered. It is intended to utilise tho Estimates framed for presentation with the Forbes Budget, but the Supplementary Estimates which follow at the session's end will disclose necessary variations consequent on the Coalition Government's policy and the further economies. , One factor which will assist in speeding up Parliament's work is the Labour Party's anxiety to see a General Election this year. Once it is satisfied that the Government is putting pressure on the legislative machine with that object in view, it can be relied on to help, consistent with its duty as an Opposition to carefully scrutinise all measures, to most of which it can be depended on to take .trong objection. Unduly long debates are unlikely, bowever, in the present Parliament, as there is still the closure machinery in the background. Some of the more important economies mentioned in general terms by the Minister of Finance require legislative authority. i FIVE-YE-AR POLLS? An interesting proposal which has been receiving consideration but is now definitely abandoned is that the Dominion should as a measure of permanent economy repeal the triennial Parliament system, substituting a fiveyear period.' This first received prominence before the Inter-Party Economic Committee, where it was suggested by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, the Independent member. However, there was no indication at that stage of the, general Parliamentary opinion on the subject, but it was subsequently suggested that its adoption would bo an effective means of prolonging the life of the present Parliament, as it would extend the existing term by two years. APPEAL AS SEPARATE PARTIES. "Will the Reform and United Parties contest the election in opposition to one apother?" is a question which is being asked on all sides. It is recalled that Mr. Coates, on the announcement of the Coalition, clearly stated that the party organisations would not be destroyed, by arrangement, and there have been no developments since which would suggest any change in that policy. The close relations between the parties during national emergency may modify the party hostility, and there may be mutual arrangements in some electorates to prevent vote-splitting, which would favour the Labour Opposition. Thus both factors in the Government will go to the electors hoping to secure a clear majority for their own party, but if this fails to eventuate the Coalition precedent may again have to