The Times FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1943. An Election To Be

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 48, 26 February 1943, Page 4

The Times FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1943. An Election To Be

. The news that there is to be an election this year is welcome indeed although that may not be the immediate public reaction which may be to view it as something of a nuisance. There are two major reasons why an election is to be welcomed: —(a) Because it will be in keeping with the very principle of democracy for which wc are embattled; not to do so would be in conflict with thoso principles; (b) This election will provide citizens with an opportunity to select wisely a Parliament which will be charged with responsibilities never more onerous in the history of our country.

It may be reasonably presumed that the Parliament to be elected this year will have to conduct our war effort to the conclusion of victory, to then partake in the peace settlement, and thereafter, most probably, administrate for the first year of rehabilitation together with most complicated marketing problems. This is no election to be lightly undertaken, therefore. At the latest, the election date should be not more than eight months distant and it may be considerably earlier. As the election prospect must inevitably create something of a disturbance within the community, it would be desirable to have it over and done with and for that reason the date selected should be the earliest possible one. Thus would the period of disturbance be foreshortened.

Organisation on behalf of both the major parties is believed to be in a somewhat rusty condition although in this regard the governing Labour Party has the immense advantage of a permanent organisation in the force of some 400-odd trade union secretaries. These might be termed the “Home Guard” of that party, if not given a considerably higher rank as “regulars.” But as concerns the great voluntary forces of helpers customarily employed by major parties at election time, there will be faced an unprecedented difficulty. The ma jority of people in civilian life find themselves very heavily engaged with long hours at work phis various war duties. Doubtless there will be now intensified activity on the part of all parties, presumably three in number, to create adequate organisations.

From several points of view, the prospective election should bo an extremely interesting one. It may be safely prophesised that a majority of seats will be competed for by from three to live candidates, with the prospect of many minority victories a nation-wide repetition of the Christchurch East by-election. Both the major parties face the contest under handicaps, that of the Opposition being tho Coatcs-Hamilton defection. This, however is unlikely to prove so great a handicap as that borne by the Government. The Labour Party has every cause to fear the influence of Mr. J. A. Lee’s Democratic Labour Party. Not that we would expect this third party to secure many seats; in fact very few. It might, however, probably react upon the parent party in the same unfavourable manner as did the Democrat Party on the National Party at the 1935 election.

A warning was given tire public by the Prime Minister, and this was endorsed by the Leader of the Opposition, not to allow the news that an election was possible, to foster ail air of complacency as regards the war which still lay before us as a grim hard struggle. To that warning might another appeal be added ’ ■that the campaign and its results be taken in a good spirit, in a sporting spirit and that everyone should remember we arc' New Zealanders standing united before a foe whatever might happen within our own household. May there be elected a Parliament fit to moot the great and grave days that lie before our countrymen with imagination, judgment, enterprise and the courage to act. In keeping with that desire it would be well to have elected a much younger Parliament than our country has known this past decade. The present Parliament is far too old in the average age of its members. Well would it be for the future of the of the country that electors everywhere should cast their votes in favour of the mail as a man, rather than for the party ticket lie bears. Then, also, in arriving at a decision as to who or what party to support, they would be wise to take the long view- and not be tempted by some petty, immediate consideration. Electors should consider what sort of a New Zealand will be provided their children in the days to come.