COUNTRY'S INTEREST

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 32, 30 September 1931, Page 3

COUNTRY'S INTEREST

(Official Wireless).

THE DECIDING FACTOR IN GENERAL ELECTION ISSUE NEED FOR NATIONAL UNITY

RUGBY, Monday. The advantages and disadvantages of a general election at an early date continue to be debated, the point at issue being whether it would be better for the country in the existing circumstances if the present National Government were to carry on until an election becomes inevitable in a few months, or whether an immediate election, giving the Government an increased majority and a mandate Erom the electorate, would better serve the fulfilment of a definite, farreaching policy of reconstruction. No decision has been taken as yet by Cabinet on this issue. Those in the closest touch with the Prime Minister declare that he himself is strongly convinced that the present situation must continue to be treated from a purely national, as distinct from a party, point of view, and methods of meeting the probiems confronting the country must be evolved, free from preconceived ideas. In any case, a dissolution decision will not be taken before consultation with the King. Statement on Wecjtaesclay The Prime Minister will on Wednesday in the House of Commons announce the date when the present session of Parliament will be brought to an end. It is generally assumed that within the next few days arrangements for an appeal to the electorates will be announced, and Mr. J. H. Thomas, on his return to London to-day, said he did not think such an appeal could be long delayed. He expressed the belief that the Prime Minister would lead the National Government's supporters in the election campaign. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald during the week-end, which he spent at Chequers, subjected the whole political situation to a very careful examination. It is undepcstood he is convinced that it demands the largest possible measure of national unity in support of the Government, provided with full power to take whatever measures may be deemed necessary. This evening the Prime Minister presided over a Cabinet meeting.