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Evening Star, Issue 16663, 20 February 1918, Page 4

Whichever be the taw reason—whether the imminence of A General Election: a grave MinisWbsn? terial crisis in Great Britain, vhich may compel an appeal to the constituencies ; or the seriousness of the military situation, which has been responsible for the deposition of Sir Win. Robertson from the post of Chief of the British High Command j or the inability of Dominion Ministers to gather at the heart of Empire just now—the fiat has gone forth that after all, there will be no assembly this year of the War Council or a consequential Imperial Conference for the consideration of matters affecting the highest interests and future extension of the British Empire. Of course, there trill need to be a recasting of the programme of the National Government., who had decided, in view of the early departure of the Prime 'Minister and the Finance Minister for London, to convene an autumn session of our Parliament for the transaction- of important war business only, deferring till the summer—probably in October— alfoxdinary financial and domestic legislation, the consideration of which was expected to keep legislators actively engaged till the end of the year. There will now be no hindrance to Parliament meeting, as usual at the end of June; in which event the session ahould run its usual course. _ The question that will naturally suggest itself to the bulk of our readers is: What then? Will there be a General Election this year at the usual time, in December? An impression has been prevalent in certain, political quarters that there cannot be a General Election so long as the war is in full blast, and one has-only to recall Sir Joseph Ward's declaration (spokeu ironically, we opine) that the man who talked about an election during these fateful times deserved hanging. But, with all respect to the Finance Minister, we do not think that he has been at pains to probe the public mind on this issue; and if ho has, then wo have no hesitation in affirming that he has made a fake diagnosis. We hold strongly that the people are not prepared to accept with equanimity any further attempt to deprive them of their constitutional rights to declare at the ballot box in what estimation they hold the National Government, and to pronounce judgment on whatever indictment may be lodged against our administrators. For some time past it has been whispered among a certain section of the body politic that, if sufficient pressure be brought to bear—in other words; if a spurious public opinion can be manufactured—on the powers that be, it is quite within- the bounds of possibility that a licensing poll may be held in November or December. We do not know on what amount ' of substantiality (if any) this idea rests; bxtt we wish' to point out right here and now that this suggestion—ho.

matter from what source it emanates—is impracticable for a variety of reasons. In the first place, the cost of holding a licensing poll alone is out of proportion to the results likely to be achieved. In the next, will that poll be taken under existing electoral conditions or under those foreshadowed in last year's recommendations of the Boundary Commissioners? And, thirdly, what view do the Prohibitionists and the "trade" take of a surprise proposition of this nature? We are aware that a good many people in both camps, as well as a fair number of legislators, view with favor the suggestion to completely divorce Liquor from Politics, and to that end will welcome the holding of the licensing poll at a time far removed from the triennial political referendum. But when the matter is calmly and deliberately discussed it will bo found, we imagine, that the difficulty in beating up voters to record their ballots on a single issue will completely overshadow any trifling economics that may be practised. For a time we ourselves leaned, to the view that the divorcement of liquor from general politics might be to the advantage of the State; but on mature reflection wo have reached, the conclusion that the two polls must be held simultaneously if the voting efficiency of the past 21 years or more is to be maintained. By no other means is Jt possible, according to our lights, to bring up the voters In sufficient numbers to ensure that in the final result the "ayes" or the "noes" (as th<r case may be) can be accepted as.a positive indication of the people's will. Such being our faith, wo counsel the National Government to prepare themselves and the country for the trial of strength and for the submission of policies that must inevitably take place either at the end of the current year or in the earlv part of 1919. Then we shall see what wo shall see.