JAPANESE ELECTIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXVI, Issue 25, 28 December 1945, Page 6

JAPANESE ELECTIONS

COMMUNIST PROPOSAL. (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) TOKIO, Dec. 27. The Communist Party has proposed a postponement of the general election for at least a month to allow time tor a "truly democratic" opposition to the old school of politicians. The date of the election has not been announced pending approval by Allied Headquarters, it would be held in the middle of January under the new election law which is now being studied by the occupation officials. Although many Japanese have privately expressed the belief that the election should be postponed, the Communist proposal is the first to be advanced by a political organisation. Government officials contend, however, that a speedy election is necessary to permit the prompt convening of a more representative Diet to consider the Budget and other matters.

Meanwhile, Baron Shidehara said the Japanese Government would take drastic action against any officials found meddling with the balloting. A new political party, the Independent Socialists, has demanded that the Premier be elected by the people instead of being appointed by the Throne. The party's platform, however, advocates the preservation of the Emperor system.