The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1914. POSTPONING THE ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 83, 2 September 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1914. POSTPONING THE ELECTIONS.

So far as the general public of New Zealand are concerned, politics, for tie time being, fail to hold any place in their mental Tiaion. It majr almost be said that not even a passing thought is given to what is happening in Parliament, the war engrossing the whole attention of the populace, and even business, to a very large extent, having to suffer on account of the intense interest engendered by thp development of hostilities. The only matters that are giving any coneern are those relating to the general citation, and the taking of the poll on the licensing question. It may be confidently asserted that the desire for the 'postponement of these polk is general. It is only natural that auch should be the case. In face of the present grave crisis in the history of the British Umpire, it would seem entirely out of place to put it moderately—for New Zealand to enter upon Sectoral, and Nolicensa campaigns, plunging the country into the vortex of a contentious and hard-fought .political battle. This is not the time for such a contest,.and to embark upon it would be a woeful and unpardonable blunder that would have a | lasting stigma on New patriotism and loyalty to the Empire, In the Homeland, at the very fixst announcement of hostilities against Germany, all political controversy was dropped, even the critical state of affairs relative to Ireland being relegated to obscurity until the close of the war, and 'probably for some time after that. It is almost incomprehensible that Mr Massey and his colleagues have hesitated for so long in arriving at the only decision acceptable to the people—the postponement of the elections and of the licensing poll. They cannot fail to be aware of the inadvisability of having the polls taken this year. (Parliament can well be allowed to be non-existent for a while, if there is any difficulty in prolonging its life. A period of suspended animation would not he of any disadvantage. AH that is needed is for the Government to act in conjunction with the Leader of the Opposition and his lieutenants, and the people will be entirely satisfied. We cannot too strongly urge the Government to put an end to the present suspense on this matter and announce the postponement of tho polls. That the people wish this course to be adopted should alone suffice as the best of all reasons for adopting the course indicated. We boast that New Zealand is governed by the people for the people; therefore the wishes of the .people should be respected. Apart from the fact that so many of the electors will have gone, to the front, there can be no question that the present is no lime for political controversy, and it is equally certain that the Government, by recognising this, a,nd postponing the elections, would be acting in a sympathetic and statesmanlike way, which would earn i'or them the respect and esteem of the electors. Any other courße seems unworthy of consideration.