TRUST THE PEOPLE

Rotorua Morning Post, 31 August 1931, Page 2

TRUST THE PEOPLE

Our rarliameiitary repi esentative in his telegram from Wclfinglon, which appears in this issue makes significant reiAcnco to the attitude of tho leader of the Reform Party to L10 question of the posuponement of the general election. It vouki appear tqat Mr. Coatcs, uncler certain circumstances, is piopaxe^ uO iiiro with the idea. If Mr. Coates takes up any outu attitude he is lilcely to find himself out of step with* x'uany ox Lis foupporters and the great majority of electors. Mr. ixoiianu has deuared that 1 her e is not a sngle reason why the ejecuoh siiduid be postponed and that any postponement would ue a uxsanet breach pi confidence. For once nearly everyone wiii be in agreement with Mr. Holland and Mr. Coates should consider carei'ully bei'ore hommitting himself to an election postponement ior by aoing this he wouid be only making a rod for his own back — a rod which would be used by Labour to much efiect when the election did come round. The postponement of ihe eiection would not be morally right and it is open to doubt if there could be iound any legal justifieation for it. If Parliament can postpone its dissolution for two years what is there to stop it doing so for five or even for life? If the present economy comniittee can come to a decision on a desired policy, then let the various parties go to the country with it and the people will choose the party which they consider best qualified to p.ut the policy into practice. This is a time when the people should be trusted and any suggestion of the politican's distrust in them breeds oiily distrust in the people for the politican.