The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1931. GENERAL ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1931. GENERAL ELECTION.

Writing on the question of the date of holding the general election, which has formed the subject of many enquiries and much thought of late, a parliamentary writer last week stated that that as no agreemnt had been reached by the two parties to the Coalition, statements recently made in Wellington can only be in the nature of surmise, although enough lias been said on good authority to reveal the growth of the party attitudes toward what is regarded as the most important question awaiting, a decision. The work of Parliament is being carried on with a certain air of unrest, and there will not be general satisfaction until members generally are aware of what Cabinet wants to ,do. More progress toward reaching an agreement among Its own mem hers has been reached by the United Party, which has sat long hours in caucus recently. It has been freely stated that several members of this, party have not been at all .satisfied : with the trend of events, and that their main grievance is based on the allegation that they have not been as closely in touch with their leaders in the Ministry as they should have been at a time like the present. It was partly on account of the growing spirit of discontent among United mem. bers that the Prime Minister was persuaded to call the caucus, although there were other questions of importance. among them that of the general election, that induced him to seek opinions -and shape a course for the future. It was stated more or less officially recently that when the caucus finished the party had cleared away, at least temporarily, the difficulties that had arisen, and that, in addition to expressing its renewed confidence in the Prime Minister, a decision had been reached ”oon the election issue. Nothing definite can be stated about the nossibV postponement o f the elecions until the PetVm-, Party t a s reached a decision and until the two party leaders have conferred. Urgency having been accorded the passing of +t.o fnvin -'lensnren i- the House last Thursday, t’-e Reform Pavtv was unable to told a cane— hut it should meet within the ne>” day or two. In the meantime it i« understood that the United Party inclines definitely to the opinion that the election, should be put

off for a least a year. Whether the Coalition as a whole can agree, on this I course remains to be seen. Several important considerations are believed to be under discussion, not only among members of the Reform Party, but also among supporters of the Coalition generally. In the first place it is pointed out that one of the immediate problems relates to the length of time that | will be needed to put through the {Coalition’s legislative programme. There is an opinion among an influential section of the Government j that this work should not be rushed, Lund that it would he fatal to make ] undue haste. It- is contended that | every step should be taken with full .regard for the future. There is a possibility that the Government will not |be able to put through its legislation j before the end of November. But the I life of the present Parliammt expires jon November 20 by the effluxion of time, so that some decision upon the ! election question will have to be made ! well before then. This, of course, i will be done. The taxing Bills were rushed through owing to the desire to get them out of the wav, but other legislation will not be pushed through so hurriedly. It is stated' that on no account will Christmas trade be upset by the holding of an election close to or during the holiday period, so that, unless it is decided to seek a dissolution very soon—and this does not seem likely—the life'of Parliament will be extended until well into the next year, as there is. the possibility of another short session, before the end of the financial year.