The Chronicle LEVIN. THURSDAY AUGUST 30, 1917. PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 August 1917, Page 2

The Chronicle LEVIN. THURSDAY AUGUST 30, 1917. PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Considerable intero>t- h:>s been aroused by the Hoi>. W r . F. Mas-t-ey's stat ment that, general elections for the Parliament of New Zealand are not improbable this year, though personally he is against such a proposal.. Undoubtedly there is a feeling in JSew Zealand, and amongst a considerable section of the community, that a general election is highly desirable. And just as undoubtedly, another considerable section of the New Zealand public contends that to hold general elections during the war would be a mistake ; that this Dominion best can help in the war by avoiding the internal turmoil that general elections of necessity produce. In a measure there is sound argument behind this contention ; but the fact has to be faced that the Coalition Government has subverted, by its Regulations, the sound ard truo principles of liberty that the Empire is based upon- Many people contend that the whole of the restrictions and bars and penalties enforced by the Government Regulations are quite proper in times of war. If they have the support of a majority of the people, no doubt they " are "; but they have been made by members of Parliament (through the Ministry) eleicted in times of peace ; and a mere ipse dictum cannot place them upon the basis of law acceptable. If a general election results in the return to Parliament of a majority of members pledged to support the letter and spirit of the Regulations, the Regulations will cease to be assailable on the ground that they have been made without an expression of opinion at the ballot ; and however they may continue to strike unprejudiced observers and howe v er they may continue to restrict free criticism of the acts of public men, tljey will have to be accepted for at least three years. But to continue them beyond the triennial normal period of the present Parliament on the self-preservative vote of its members would be a most unfair act. Therefore, despite all other aspects of the case the general elections should not be postponed.