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Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1931, Page 4

Signs of an early general election are indicated not only by various press reports, but also by tbe activities of ibe various parties, A certain amount of

interest will centre in the nulling for Hauraki seat next Wednesday, but no doubt however it may result, each party will read in the voting some degree of comfort to satisfy liieir political variety. The Wellington Reform journal seems to think that the rejoinder of Mr Forbes ot Mr Coates refusal to fusmn has clouded the issue. Rather was it the other way about, Air Coates desired a state of affairs which was most uneort.-.in for the Government. Mr Eorl.es sceu.ed to solve the situation by his straight-out declaration that he was ] repared to stand or fall on his own policy measures. To that end in. the early approaching session lie will firing down the taxation proposals, and leave it to the House to decide whether they should go through or whether he should he forced to go to the country. Hie intimated that, having done its best to bring about fusion, the Government would accept the full responsibility for its legislation -next session. There is nothing cloudy nor obscure about that line of action, for Air Forbes is as straight forward as usual in any public declaration lie makes. The parties being divided as they are, and the principal sections not disposed to come together in any whole-hearted manner, if seems fairly certain that the general election will be precipitated, in spite of the fapt that the Reform Tarty lias undertaken rot to off'oh factious opposition to legislation it may consider liecessai'y. It is believed that the Plume Minister lias coma to the conclusion that, as a legislative pfogi'anilnb cannot he put through effectively with a minority Government, a general election would do much to clear the air. For this reason he is prepared to go to the country at any time. By his intention to bring down his taxation proposals early next session. Air Forbes indicates that he will test the feeling of the House at the earliest possible opportunity. Because of the possible eventualities following such decisive action, the parties are now organising in earnest, and card’dates are being selected for various constituencies. So far we have not heard of anymore in Wesland to find an opponent to the sitting member. Air O’Brien, as a follower of Labour, is definitely opposed to the Government and its economy scheme. AYe shall therefore expect definite opposition to be put forward as there must He a general feeling pervading the electorate, that a safe and sane policy of e onomy is of paramount importance to secure the national .stability. Air O’Brien has espoused a certain cause, but it is doubtful if he is the workers best friend in so doing. The greatest effort possible lias been made to maintain wages, and the Prime Alinister lias stated he regretted the funds were not available to carry on at the old rates. The nation is. akin to the individual iind must take in sail in stressful times. The electors will be glad to hear Mr O’Brien’s explanation on this aspect of conserving the country's resources for the benefit of the whole, rather than sqmindunug public money to the harm of the. many, but in the meantime, no doubt, something will bo done to select an anti-Sociaiist candidate for Westland.