WARTIME ELECTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23770, 25 September 1940, Page 12

WARTIME ELECTIONS

Sir, —To find a parallel for the abnormality of the time in which we live we have to go -back to the years of the Great War. This is especially so in regard to the postponement of the elections. The last war started in August, 1914, and the general election was held at the end of that year, and the local body elections in April, 1015. The local body elections in 1917 wero wasted energy, for those who were elected in Iflii) were two years later men in key positions, and nearly all were nut back in 'office. Mr. ..Massev saw tnat holding the elections was wrong, and the country thought likewise, for the general election of 1917 was not held till two years later, 111 1919. The local body elections held right in the middle of the South African War. in 1900, proved that nearly all the former mayors and councillors were reelected chiefly because they had a grip of the position at a time when the country was organising and sending men to the front. INIr. Seddon acknowledged later it would have been better if the elections had not been held. It is wise in wartime to scrap that which is valueless with the stern necessity of winning fhe war. 'i he postponement of the elections if the war continues is for the Government to decide, for they should know what is in the best interests of all the people. W. JC. HOWITT.