The Bay of Plenty Times THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1943 POLITICAL CURRENTS AND CROSS CURRENTS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13111, 1 April 1943, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Times THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1943 POLITICAL CURRENTS AND CROSS CURRENTS

Now that there is to be a general election at date during the year, political parties appear to be spnngnig up o all sides, and this assures us that there will be a strenuous and Pex haps, a venomous contest. The People's M^^*. 11 " voiced its opinions through its chairman m _W■ elhngton 1 People'. Movement must not be confused with the People» Party. The latter ceased functioning some time ago. The ±-eo pie sji ment condemns the holding of an election during the wax disturbs the unity of the nation. An election has justJjeeii Held in Denmark, and instead of disturbing the national * *£ consolidated it. The decision regarding the election rested with the Labour Government. The amended Electoral Act Postponed the election for the duration and one year after the Avar, but theie was a reservation enabling reconsideration of the matter each yeai 11 Government has decided to hold an election this year, and we maj deduce from this that the Labour Party considers that the concur tions and circumstances are favourable for the return of the paitj

l ° P The Communist Party which is a very insignificant organisation has also expressed its disapproval over holding an election just now, and will not nominate candidates but will vote for the ment. The People's Movement is expected to nominate candidates who must be independent of all parties, and vote on ail matteis according to their judgments. There is much to commend m tins, but whether we can ever get a Parliament of independents is quite another matter. If the House were composed of independents tliej might soon gravitate into parties as they discovered similarity m views. If we could secure a dozen really independent representatives in Parliament they would be very serviceable in holding tiie balance between the two main parties and placing a brake on liastj, or ill-considered legislation. The Farmers' Union, which is an avowed non-political body, is now seriously considering the necessity of entering the political field and giving a bloc vote, me farmers have been suffering from many grievances and it is not surprising that they should desire to take an active part in the forthcoming political campaign. The wool-growers have been treated with injustice in being forced to accept Government liontransferable bonds, and in being made compulsonly to contribute to the stabilisation of domestic wool prices. Apparently it was intended that the bonds should be free of interest but now the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Barclay, has anounced that the bonds will carry 3 per cent, interest and have a currency of five years. But this does not get over the fact that the woolgrowers are being unfairly and unjustly treated. Quite a number of members have decided not to seek re-election, and this will give an opportunity of introducing new blood into Parliament. A good many members who will seek re-election are bound to lose their seats. The Labour vote will be split up by Lee's Democratic Labour Party as it was at the Christchurch East byelection. The intentions of the Labour Party cannot be known until after. Easter Monday, April 26. At this conference the Langstone trouble will have to be thrashed out. Finally let us say that the Speaker of the House, Mr Barnard, has adopted the right attitude. He will stand as a non-party candidate to emphasise his impartiality as a Speaker. We hope that in the new Parliament, if there is a change in the control of the Treasury Benches, Mr Barnard will be re-elected Speaker.