ELECTION LIKELY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24721, 25 September 1941, Page 6

ELECTION LIKELY

LOBBY OPINION STATEMENT BY MR HOLLAND NO LABOUR OVERTURES (0.C.) WELLINGTON. Sept. 24. “ No representations have been made to me,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) when he was asked to-night if the Government had made any overtures for discussion on the postponement of the general election or the formation of a National Government. A caucus of members of the National Party was held early in the evening, and lobby speculation was that it was held to discuss some proposal connected with the election issue. Mr Holland was seen shortly after the caucus rose, and he said that the matters discussed had no relation whatever to unity in government. The only discussions were on the transport question and the Social Security Amendment Bill. Mr Holland said he had not had any communication from the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) on the election issue. Labour Caucus Divided

While it is evident that the Labour Party is not in favour of the formation of a National Government, the question whether a general election should be held has apparently caused a division. Lobby reports are that no vote was taken at the caucus meeting, but that the Prime Minister noted the opinions of each speaker for consideration after hearing representations from all quarters. The main deterrent to the holding of an election—and this is reported to have been the theme of many speakers—was that the war situation might become more serious when the campaign was at its height. Many other arguments for and against an election have, it is reported, been thoroughly discussed by the party, as they have also been discussed by the electorate. The general opinion, however, is that an election will be held, the Government members being reluctant to share office with members of the Opposition, and also opposed to an extension of their term of office Q

A Significant Choice

The announcement to-day of the selection of Mr F. Langstone to represent the Government at the International Labour Conference in New York on October 27 has been interpreted as an indication that the election will be held. If the election is to be postponed the obvious appointment would have been that of the Minister of Labour (Mr P. C. Webb), who, in the two elections at which Labour has succeeded. has been one of the party’s main platform speakers. The Cabinet met to-night at 7 o’clock, and, although the Prime Minister was absent for some time, its deliberations, which are believed to have been on the election issue and the “ Doctors’ Bill,” were continued until 1.25 a.m. The Prime Minister, who had returned in the meantime, then said he had no statement to make, and had not decided whether a caucus would be held in the morning.