Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1945. MANY ELECTIONS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 October 1945, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1945. MANY ELECTIONS.

THE holding of general elections is evi- * deuce of returning stability and reconstruction progress, and therefore is to be welcomed in whatever land the pollings take place, and whatever the result. This applies particularly to France, a country whose restoration to power and prestige.; desirable to others as . well as to the

French, being a. factor for peace-pieseina tion. The first reports of the polling results give General de Gaulle a clear victory, and this expression of public confidence in his policy should strengthen his leadership in the days to come. It is to be hoped that his triumph will not lessen his discretion and will temper his tendency to be impatient with criticism, 01 non-compliance with his wishes. . It is gratifying that the polling was heavy, and that no serious disorder occurred. Women voted for the first time at a French general election, and stood as candidates, a few being elected. The Pope realised the importance of the innovation, and many will share his hope . that the entry of French women into national politics will be for national welfare. It should make for stability, and lessen the ill effects of the group system which wea <- ened national unity, increased the opportunities for corruption, and partly accounted for the French collapse in 1940. The trend is still to the Left, the Communists scoring well, but French Communism is not of a revolutionary character. Control will be held by the Catholic Socialists. The old style of Parliament is to be abandoned in favour of a single Constituent Assembly. The Assembly is to have legislative as well as constituent powers. The head of the Government will be elected. by the Assembly and will present his Ministry to it for a vote of confidence. The Government will be responsible to the Assembly, but can be overthrown only 'by a vote of censure. Constitutional proposals dravn up and passed by the Assembly will be submitted to the nation for approval at a second referendum. There was a fear expressed that dictatorial tendencies would be encouraged by a Single. Chamber, but evidently the French voters generally were not afraid of taking this risk, and, perhaps, prefer to be well-governed by dictators than maintain doubtful freedom. Considerable outside interest will be taken in the developments in France, which is making satisfactory recovery from Occupation mid Vichy rule. The fact that Laval and other traitors have been shot, and Petain reprieved only through his age, proves French earnestness to start afresh. Several other lands in Europe are to have early elections. Tiny Luxembuig has already had its pollings, with the Government winning. Austria, Hungary, Gicece, Rumania and Italy are finding it necessary to postpone their elections, but only until arrangements can be made to secure some degree of freedom of voters choice. At present, some of the proposed plans would make the “elections” less than nominal. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, the old South American custom of revolutions has revived, the rebels winning in Venezuela but losing in Argentina. Claims are contradictory, and, in any case, the effects will be mainly national, with U.S.A, being the outside Power most concerned. Revolts are contagious and other Latin-American lands may stage similar proceedings. South America has no war-weariness, having escaped the ravages of the 1939-45 campaign.