Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1940 AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 September 1940, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1940 AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS.

"THE general principle of any Parliament prolonging its life beyond the period for which it was elected, is open to serious objection, but in present circumstances, there is unlikely to be much opposition to the House of Commons postponing the general election. Such an electoral contest would, to-day, be a farce, as a really National Government is now in charge of the country’s affairs, a political truce being observed between the leading Parties. By-elections go by default to the Parity previously holding the seats iconcerned, except when freak candidates come forward. Hitherto, the result has been the loss of their deposits by such aspirants. The country does not want a;n election at this juncture, unity ■ against the Nazi-Fascist enemies being a clear duty. However, what is advisable for Britain, to-day, should not be accepted as a precedent for Empire countries less directly harassed. Canada and Australia rejected proposals to avoid general elections during the war, the Canadian Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) going to the other exby cutting short the term of thye then Parliament. His decision was apparently supported by the Canadian people, who gave him an increased majority. In Australia, Mr. Menzies urged that the Federal elections should be postponed, but many of his colleagues and the Labour Opposition rejected the suggestion, which was dropped. One of the shortest electioneering campaigns in Australian history was opened, and polling day is on Saturday. There is keen competition for the various seats, only one not being contested. As usual, confidence of victory is expressed by the respective Party leaders. The prophets are less definite about the prospects, if the chances appear to favour a Government win.

Happily, the Commonwealth’s participation in the war is not an issue. All sections favour wholehearted aid to Britain in the defence of democracy and freedom, the only contention being as to whether enough is being done in this direction. Labour says the Menzies Government has been apathetic and unenterprising, but if expenditure is amy criterion, the Ministry could scarcely have done more. In men and material, the Commonwealth’s contribution has :

surpassed all outside expectations, and schemes have • been started that will eventually make Australia a'military power worthy of her wealth and resources. The Labour criticism does not appear to be justified. The claims that Labour would have done better, and is alone capable of leading the Commonwealth successfully through the war and post-war periods, have not been supported by evidence. The domestic issues of the election are not matters for outside comment. Summed up, desire for office appears to be the chief incentive of both Government and Opposition. Dissensions in the Labour ranks may affect the Party’s fate on Saturday. Neither the Ministry, nor its opponents, appear to have among tlie leaders men of the calibre and statesmanship desirable in a crisis like the present. Many Australians claim that the whole political, constitiv tional, and administrative structure of the Commonwealth needs drastic reforms. Perhaps, after the war abroad is successfully concluded, real attention will be given to the weaknesses at home.