GOVERNMENT AND THE ELECTIONS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16207, 9 May 1918, Page 3

GOVERNMENT AND THE ELECTIONS.

MR MASSEY'S REPLY TO

CRITICISM

Criticisms of , the action of the National Government in regard to the postponement of the elections were replied to in a statement made recently by the Prime Minister. Mr Mas soy .said: "One reason for the postponing of the elections is the absence of so many men from the country; and though it would be possible to give litem :m opportunity of voting, still the -experiment which was tried on tho last occasion, was not quite satisfactory. As a matter of fact, it is not a fair thing to allow the question of party politics to be raised amongst soldiers who are fighting for all classes and lor the country as a whole, though in case of a general election thoy must be given the opportunity of \ oting wherever they are and whatever the difficulties. To hold a general election just now would be to bring about such a chaotic 3tato in public affairs as has never jet been experienced. It would run the country into peed less expenditure, with only one possible result—that tho National Government would be returned with an overwhelming majority, hut probably with a slightly increased number of anti-conscriptionists and others who apparently think the winning of the war is only a secondary consideration. There, are good precedents for what has been done in New Zealand in this respect. In Great Britain, for instance, general elections have been postponed either two or three times alreadj', and they will be postponed again within the next few months."