THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
It will still be little time before the state of parties is definitely known. At present the position is Government 40, combined Opposition 40. There are to be three magisterial recounts, and alleged breaches of the new provision re voting by “ declaration,” to be investigated may result in one or two by-elections.
Speaking at the social gathering ot the Political Reform League on Saturday evening, the Prime Minister said that, judging by present appearances, there was a possibility of matters being finally settled by the parties being equal. Personally, he thought the Reform Party would have a maj >rity, but, if not, it would not be the first time in history that something ot the sort had occurred. Some years ago, as the result of a general election in Newfoundland, the parties found themselves equal, and when the House met no member on either side could be persuaded to take the Speakership. Thus a complete deadlock arose, and a dissolution took place. What might be done in New Zealand under similar circumstances it was absolutely impossible at present to say. Mr Massey added that he thought it possible that some arrangement might be made to carry on the business ot the country so long as the war continued- When the war came to an end another appeal might be made to the country. The combined Opposition meet at Wellington today. While members generally are opposed to a General Election they are not disposed to overlook the difficulties in the way of an 11 arrangement ” or whatever it may be called with the other side, says the Post. There must be a good deal of give and take before it could be accepted. Among the stumbling block® is the Legislative Council Bill passed last session and due to come ’ into operation in January, 1916, and a distinct bugbear to the Opposition. There are of course, other matters, too, which present difficulties to be surmounted. Quite apart from mere politics, the aversion to another General Election seems so strong that any friendly arrangements that are workable would in all probability be welcomed both by the country and by politicians. In the meantime the public, will probably have to wait some little time yet before anything definite is decided. The Government is not likely to announce its policy before the elections are entirely settled, and the prospect of that is still some distance off.
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1339, 22 December 1914, Page 3
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404THE POLITICAL SITUATION. Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1339, 22 December 1914, Page 3
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