THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11190, 21 April 1922, Page 3

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS

NATIONALISTS IN CONFERENCE.EARLY APPEAL SUGGESTED. MELBOURNE, April 13. An important conference ivas held at tho Commonwealth Offices between the Prime Minister (Mr Hughes) and a party of members of the Federal Parliament, which included nearly a-1! the New South, Wales Nationalist members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Mr Hughes, it is stated, sought the opinion of members as to the probable ouitc&me of an early Federal election. Members, generally, expressed the opinion thrft an early appeal to the electors would more than probably be to the advantage of the Government’s supporters. The result of the State emotions, it was Urged, indicated' j the; “feeling "Uf 1 the electorates, and the statement was freely expresssed that the time was opportune.Ths disintegration of the Labour Parity in thi,s State, it was argued, also pi'aoed the Nationalist Party in a favourable position. Generally the impression was created that as far as this State was concerned an early eleotion would result in a victory for the Government forces.

Mr Hughes will leave for Western Australia on Satm-day, and it js believed that his' visit to that \State bears more than ordinary political significance, following closely upon hiß tour of the Bendigo electorate and the meeting held yesterday. No decisions were arrived at at the Conference although* of lengthy duration.