The Bay of Plenty Times THURSDAY, MAY 21st. 1942 A SUBJECT DONE TO DEATH

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXX, Issue 13647, 21 May 1942, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Times THURSDAY, MAY 21st. 1942 A SUBJECT DONE TO DEATH

AVe thought the policy ot‘ forming a National Government to hold office for the duration of the war had received its quietus when the Federation of Labour turned the proposal down, but it seems that some people still think this could be brought about. The Manawatu executive of the Farmers’ Union at a recent meeting deplored the fact that a Parliamentary election is to be held, which, according to the farmers, would disturb the unity and Avar effort of the country. This is wild and foolish talk. A National Government is not the Avonderful thing that some believe it to be. Australia, Canada and South Africa haA’e no national governments and yet they are carrying on their Avar effort as vigorously as one could Avish. The ManaAvatu farmers deplore the fact that a Parliamentary election is to be held. This is ridiculous. Three by-elections have been held in England Avithout causing the least trouble, Avhile Japan held a full-dress election a few Aveeks ago, Avhen over one thousand candidates Avent to the poll. This did not Aveaken Japan’s Avar policy, or interfere Avith her fighting in any Avay. AVe believe that there is a good deal of hypocrisy in these constant allusions to a National Government and a general election. There must be a general election this year. It Avould be a serious political scandal not to haA r e one. The Legislature Act provides for an election by effluxion of time every three years. There could be an election in the meaiiAvhile on a dissolution of Parliament through an adverse A’ote being carried against the Government in power at the time. As a matter of fact there has been no dissolution of Parliament except through effluxion of time since 1891, in Avhich year the honorarium Avas raised from £l5O a year to £240, and since raised up to £4OO, Avhich may be regarded as a living Avage, And thus professional politicians are developed. A general election Avas due in Ncav Zealand last year, but it Avas postponed because of the Avar, but there Avere tAvo contested by-elections—Hauraki and the Bay of Plentjr—and Ave cannot claim that they hav-e made any difference to the Avar effort. An election Avould have no more disturbing effect on the Avar efforts of the people than Avould a three-day race meeting. A general election Avould mean speeches of sorts from a multitude of candidates of sorts but this Avould be a diversion in this Avar time. The election is not likely to be held until November, by Avhich time Ave believe that, even if the Axis PoAvers are not beaten to a standstill, the position Avould indicate that an Allied victory Avas inevitable. It would be a time for jubilation, and that Avould not militate against the nation’s Avar effort. We will haA r e no national government, but Ave must have a general election Avhich the people have a right to expect. The people must be alloAved to express their opinion through the ballot box. It Avill be four years since the voice of the electors was last heard, and a good deal has happened in the meantime. It is for the electors to say Avhether they approve or disapprove of the handling of the Avar effort, and also their opinion on the administration bf the affairs of the country. The people pay, and they have a right to knoAv Avhat they are getting for their money. Taxation Avithout representation is tyranny, and rightly vieAved ever since November last the people have not been represented in Parliament according to their Avishes. A general election is overdue and must not be again postponed.