ELECTION ISSUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24733, 9 October 1941, Page 6

ELECTION ISSUE

FURTHER DELAY UKELY SESSION EXTENDED COMPLETION NEXT JffifX (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 8. The persistent delays in announcing a decision on the general election issue went a step further today. In spite of his earlier statement that the House of Representatives was likely to complete the session this week, giving rise to a belief that the election question would also be settled, the Prime Minister. Mr P. Fraser; announced to-night that because of various circumstances the business of the House would not be completed until next week. __ This latest decision could result in the long-awaited statement on the election being still further delayed. Until to-day it had been fully expected that Mr Fraser would announce his decision from the..floorof the House this week before'the session ended, but the extension of the session to next week makes it possible that the House and the public will not learn „.the decision until well into next week; more than a month after Mr Fraser*s return from Great Britain. J ...'■.... The caucus of the Government Party met again to-day "and the Prime Minister later said that the Rehabilitation Bill had been the subject of the discussion and not the election question. No Further Discussions

No further discussions on the issues involved were held" between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G.-Holland. Curiosity was raised at one stage in the afternoon, when Mr Holland crossed the floor of the House to'talk to Mr FraserVbut their conversation, inquirers were later assured, had no connection with the earlier discussion on the election issue. "I regret that owing to various circumstances it is not possible to finish this week," said the Prime Minister, immediately before , the House rose at 9.25 to-night until tomorrow afternoon. He said that the House would adjourn for an extended week-end to-morrow, either at 5.30 or at 10.30 until next Tuesday evening, and that the remaining business could easily be completed on next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Mr Fraser said that to-morrow the Local Legislation Bill and the Appropriation Bill would be taken. He hoped that the Statutes Revision Committee would report on the Statutes Amendment Bill . and that this measure would also be available. Certain amendments would be brought down and the House Would make what progress it could with this measure. "Certain Circumstances"

"Owing to certain circumstances, including inability to have the Rehabilitation Bill introduced earlier, as well as other factors, it will not be possible for the House to finish this week," he added. Mr Holland assured Mr Fraser of co-operation in finishing the business set out for to-morrow, and said that good progress had already been made.

Mr Fraser replied that the progress had been excellent. Such rapid work became almost embarrassing at times, he added, amid laughter.