THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 February 1919, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

AND PAETY POLITICS.

CHEISTCHURCH, Feb. 4

The Minister 'of Internal Affairsy the Hon. G. W. Eussell. in an .interview, to-day, hinted at the possibility of a general election as: soon as Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward return from England, and before the next session of Parliament This statement, however, was qualified by the remark that he did not suggest this course as probable. Mr Eussell declined to make any statement regarding the proposed political party, which is being mooted. The National; Government, he said, was formed for •ffiie purpose of pteventiwg ipafrty laction during thle progress of thenar, in order that the Government might be strengthened on its administration side, and particularly in order that the attention of the enmight be concentrated ' on. the winning of the war. The war had now been won, and the question of whether the National Government* would continue or would resolve itself once more into its constituents! elements would, he had no doubt, bo decided very shortly after the ' return of the party leaders.

"In the meantime," added Mr, Russell, "we arc carrying? on, and political organisation and warfare is naturally suspended while the Government is in existence."