THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3332, 10 November 1919, Page 5

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

GOVERNMENT’S PROSPECTS.

SIR J. ALLEN CONFIDENT.

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 8‘

P.el'm-ring to a. statement by Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P., that discontented mernburs of the Reform Party arce prepared to join the Opposition. Sir James Allen, Minister for Finance and Defence, said ’ro—day that he did not think there were many rnalcor.-tellts in the Reform Party. Most of them had come into line.

“As a matter of fact," he said, "1 think it is quite easy to see Lh'.:t.malcontents are on the other side. Many Liberal members, .I-- believe, .w(..-ultl efhe pleased to see astable Govemment in ofiice. They are likely to help -to ‘bring about a,=Government of. that cha_l'aQtel' at the elections,— -With the support Mr Massey will get, from the: «~'Li‘beral Party, :which I believe he is’ certain to get, I don ’t think that there is any. doubt of it whatever. Whether he will have a. majority of the Whole House is another matter We expect that he will, but it is unquestionable that he will take the leadership of the lafgcst party in the House. In that case some lllolllb€l'S of the Liberal Par-ty will join with him in forming a. stable Government, which ‘will see that the c.ountry’s, affairs are dealt with as tliify ou;'alt to be.” ‘h -V1 -- -'*

As to whether oflficial Government caiididates would be brought forward for the Chris.tchul'ch seafgs Sir James Allen said; “If the people of Christ~ church find Government" candidates with prospects of winning we-shall be :>xr]y too: delighted 10" know that they are there. I should 4thillk'it_w';sfa}s about time thajc’_’rQ}ii‘istchAul'ch Vvaniegi a change.” LAW

In response to another question, Sir James Allen said he had no ‘intention to speak in Christchurch iii reply to Sir Joseph Ward’s speech next week, and that he had not made any an rangements to give :1 speech in his own electorate during his weekfs visit to it. He praised the work of Mr Massey during the session. ~s “As far as I have hea.r(l,” he said. “Mr Massey made good, and the party during the past few months has gained grounrl tremendously in both the North Island and the South Island. I think that Mr 3\’iassey put through a. wonderful session under a. very heavy burden, :>,ll<l ] must say that he can-ied‘it extraorclinariljc well. It was a large pl’ogl’an'l:ne, El *.«'el’-y large programme, imleerl, and it was put through in a ‘.-'b"l'y' short time.” .

,IN HONOUR Ol‘ THE DEAD. TWO ‘MEDNUTES’ S;[LEN‘DE~ THROUGH THE EMPIRE. Received 11.5 a.m. _ ‘ LONDON, Nov. 7. _ The King’s request for a twominutes silence ‘on “Tuesday has been wirelossod lo naval and merca.ntile- ves~ sels all over [the world. It is expected the ongincs will be stopped. It has been .arranged that all at ‘Buckingham Palace shall -spend Ithe two minutes’ contemplation pnayer. The police and‘-fire brigades, who will fire ’mal'oons, which were formerly used as. air "raid _warnings, are synchronising their watches’ to ensure sa.- simultaneous pigmal. The banks and Stock Ex‘change are closing. IThere Jwill he‘ spec-in] sel'vice‘s in the Abbey, _s.t—. Palll’S, alld«othcl- churches are opening for private devotion. Many patriotic organisations are placing wreaths on the conotapii and other local Inemorials. The ‘Archbishop of" Canterbury urges-‘ Christians everywhere 150‘ ~.e. spend fo the call.»