EARLY ELECTION

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1931, Page 6

EARLY ELECTION

REASONS AGAINST IT. THE RAPIDLY CHANGING CONDITIONS. WELLINGTON, October 12. There have been no further develop, meets of' the early election question, though to-morrow’s caucus of the United Party might have an influence on future policy. It is suggested by the Wellington “Post” that until Parliament is informed of the Coalition Government’s .decision concerning the general election this question must cause unrest and hinder concentration of the Government’s immediate tasks It strongly advocates some extension of the present Parliament, suggesting that an election campaign would cause great delay in "rehabilitation ures.“With no Parliament and with the Government’s authority virtually suspended the country would be powerless to deal effectively with the emergency.” says the “Post.*’ “Moreover, with ‘the ground shifting from us every day,’ how could any party announce a firm policy in detailed terms? The Budget presented on July 30 had to be revised to fit conditions at the beginning of Oetoher. A policy announced at the beginning of an elec, tion campaign might also prove inadequate for conditions after the election has been held. All that a responsible Government could do would be to ask for a mandate to deal with conditions as they arose. Anything more definite would he embarrssing and dangerous. We are firmly convinced that the public opinion behind the .coalition Government to grapple with the emergency should not be destroyed by suspending all action in the crisis t<> obtain confirmation of this authority.”