DATE OF ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19119, 10 September 1925, Page 8

DATE OF ELECTIONS.

INQUIRY BY LABOUR.

SIR j. PARR'S ESTIMATE. . STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER [by telegraph.—special hepokter. ] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The Labour Party is anxious to know when the general election is to b© heid. In the House of Representatives to-day its leader, Mr. H. E. Holland, took some remarks of Sir James Parr at Auckland on Monday as reason for asking a fresh question about the matter. Sir James, he said, was reported to have stated that the date would be early in November. If he had said so, had he any authority, and would the promise be •honoured ? Had tjlie Prime Minister come to any decision as to when the election was to take place, and, if so, would he take the House into his confidence ? Mr. Holland emphasised that candidates for large country electorates needed at least six weeks to seo their electors.

Sir James Parr, rising to make a per sonal explanation, said he had made the statement at a meeting of his supporters. He had merely said that the indications, to his mind, were for a general election early in November. The Prime Minister said he had not seen the report referred to. "I should be delighted to accept the advice of the Minister for Education about the matter," he remarked, "but the Cabinet has not yet come to a decision. •. I can assure the hon. member that there will be ample time for covering large districts, although I do not mean enough to dawdle over them."

Tho Leader of the Opposition, Mr. G. W. Forbes: Will you allow six weeks?* Mr. Coates replied that it might be five, six, seven or eight weeks, but there would be no rush election; nothing of the sort. A Member: Make it short and sharp. Mr. Coates: As soon as I am able I shall be glad to inform the hon, member when the election should take place..