POLITICAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1655, 22 October 1919, Page 5

POLITICAL.

A well attended meeting of the supporters of Mr J. A. Nash, M.P.. was held on Monday evening, when Mr P. A. McHardy was appointed chairman. It was decided to at once make arrangements for the election campaign for tho Palmerston seat.

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

{Spiotal to "Standabd.") WELLINGTON, Oct. 21,

"I would like to ask tne Prime Minister," said Sir Joseph Ward in the House to-Uay, "if the statement made by tiio Minister oi Defence in (Jhristcliurch, that tho Uenerai Election will bo neiu in tho first week oi December is correct?"

Mr Massey said ho could not answer the question, 'ihe date ot the General Election had not been fixed. He could assure the House on that point. Sir Joseph Ward suggested that the Maori elections ought to be taken on the same day as the European elections. Air Massey said that the proper thing would be to consult the Maori members oi tlie House. Representatives, of tho Native race had approached him already, and liau urged tliat it would not be possibio to tukc the election on tho present Maori rolls, .in amendment of the law might be iKcessary. He had no objections to cue elections taking place on tne samo day, bin one reason tor avoiding t.u& u.is tint tue same ions were required ior tne two elections, lie iiu*. been to take the Autivo election just t/oiorc, or just auer the European General Election.

bULrJihriii' GRAVES. Dr XbttV&u' liust) suggested again 111 tue iiouSo to-day that tae relatives ot soldiers buried on tne battlcneius should bo aided oy the Government to visit the graves ot Uieir men. Wealthy people, ho said, could visit tne graves 01 ttour relatives, ana the same privileges ougut lo be open tu tne poor peopio of tne country, as weii as to the well-to-do. _ Mr Massey said that the question raised was very uuhcult to deal witn. It had already Had tne consideration of Cabinet, and tiie Government would make the provision asked lor it it were possible, but no decision could be reached at present or before the end of the present year. Mr Jennings aslced U arrangements could bo made lor the removal of soldiers bodies to Now Zealand or England. The Prime Minister replied be had already bad some experience on this point, when he was in France at the beginning ot the year. He bad bad enquiries from parents of dead soldiers whoso remains wore buried in France and Gallipoli and m every case the request had been turned down by the. Imperial authorities, on the ground that if this wore attempted, it would lead to cbao.« and confusion. He could assure parents in New Zealand that the graves in France and Britain were being oared for. Unfortunately he could not say the same about Gallipoli, but the graves there would be taken in band.