GENERAL ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15719, 21 September 1914, Page 3

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

PARTY CONFERENCE.

POSTPONEMENT UNLIKELY.

MEMBERS TIRED OF "TRUCE."

fBT TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. ]

Wellington, Sunday. Ihe postponed conference between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in regard to the date of the general elections was held yesterday. In addition to the two leaders there were also present the Hon. W. Eraser and Mr. D. H. Guthrie (Chief Government Whip), representing the Government party, and Messrs. G. W. Russell and T. Wilford, representing the Opposition. Owing to Sir Joseph Ward's indisposition the conference was held in his room at the Royal Oak Hotel. The deliberations lasted for about an hour. It is not known whether an agreement was arrived at, but the Prime Minister states that the result of the conference will be announced when the House meets on Tuesday.

It is understood that the elections will be held this year, and 1 "t. the Government programme in the House will be cuttailed to some extent.

It is agreed by many members on both sides of the House that the "truce" has not been an unqualified success, and that as it is not likely to be any longer effective it might as well be declared off. Of course with the political campaign that must precede the elections in prospect there will no longer be room for any truce, and it may be expected that the usual party hostilities will shortly be resumed so far as local politics are concerned.