FIVE-YEAR ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 10267, 14 April 1926, Page 6

FIVE-YEAR ELECTIONS.

MR O’REGAN REITERATES

ALLEGATIONS

WELLINGTON, April 13

In connection with a message from Dunedin Mr P. J. O’Regan replies as follows: “Mr Paape has not really denied my statement at all. I stated to a press representative in Christchurch that there was afoot a tacit conspiracy for a reversion to quinquennial Parliaments and that it will develop in the guise of licensing reform. I did not say the matter had been discussed. Indeed, the absence of discussion is not the least sinister feature of the situation. Answering a questioner at an election meeting in November last who wanted to- know whether they favored a longer interval between licensing polls, Messrs Coates and Bollard gave exactly the same replies'—they favored five-year Parliaments, which would automatically involve a greater interval between polls. Take these facts, in cor.w j unction with others, such as the support given from unusual quarters to such well-known prohibitionists as Sir John Luke and Mr R. A. Wright, and there can be only one conclusion as to what the omens" indicate. Anyhow, the Eden election, contest should afford an opportunity to learn something more.”