The Chrønicle LEVIN TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1916. THE GENERAL ELECTIONS

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 July 1916, Page 2

The Chrønicle LEVIN TUESDAY, JULY 23, 1916. THE GENERAL ELECTIONS

Legislative Council reform, which was a leading plank iu the platform on which the Alassey Government was rettuned to power, wat> given prompt legislative effect to by that Administration. Hut exigencies arose that made a year's delay advisable; so any coming into operation of the Act " 1!S postponed. Then came the National Ministry, and as some determined opponents of the measure came into the Coalition Cabinet, it was thought advisable to postpone still further the elections to the Legislative Council. In tlie course of events agreed upon two sessions ago, these elections would have been held next year, but a bill is now before Parliament providing for a further postponement—ufntil 1920 —and it is almost a. certainty that the bill will be made law. All things considered:, we see no reason for lamenting this likelihood; for to our mind a. double voice, of electorally returned houses would result in political disturbances and contentions as to what ihe will of the people on certain material issues really amounted to; the experiences of Victoria, and other States with like electoral conditions, go to prove this. Therefore we view with equanimity th« proposal to keep the Legislative Council's a nominative body for some years longer. We do object, however, to the existing resolve to postpone indefinitely the triennial election of the New Zealand House of Representatives. In the provision for triennial elections the people of this dominion have a desirable means of making known their political desires ; it is a privilege worth fighting for; but, unfortunately, it is a privilege lost. When the Premier was asked a few weeks ago to extend the term of the House of Representatives, lie diplomatically answered that lie was not prepared to introduce the legislation this year; though if the war continued till next year he would have to consider the matter further. This was but a half-truth. It would have been candid of the Premier to have toid the House that the matter was all arranged. Perhaps he omitted to do so because he realized that every member of the House was aware of the fact. Yet the fact remains that the truth of the case has never been made public. The Chronicle lias first-hand' and thoroughly reliable information that one of the political bargains made when the National Ministry was formed provided that there would be no General Election held in New Zealand until six months after the termination of the present war. Such a decision

shows the lamentable want of proper administrative responsibilities that pervade."! both the Liberal and the Conservative "leaders" in the New Zealand Parliament. Great Britain, in the trying times of administration thiat beset her as head of the War Administration, sees 110 obstacle to conducting the General Eleotions of the limited. Kingdom. Our handful of people— by their Administrators—see gigantic obstacles to the holding of any elections—even those of the local bodies, due for next ApriV have been put off. It is in sad commentary upon the want of true public spirit amongst the majority of our Parliamentarians.