GOVERNMENT LEADERS MEET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27211, 14 October 1949, Page 7

GOVERNMENT LEADERS MEET

New Zealand Press Association—Copyright Rec. 9 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 13. The Government Big Three, the Prime Minister, Mr Attlee, the Foreign Secretary, Mr Ernest Bevin, and the Leader of the House of Commons, Mr Herbert Morrison, held an 80-minute talk on the timing of the General Election at No. 10 Downing street late last night, says Reuter’s political correspondent. ' ‘ Political quarters believe that the meeting settled the question of whether dissolution of Parliament will be next spring—as has long been arranged—or next month, for which a ; section of Cabinet has been pressing. • I The Big Three, who met within a few hours of Mr Bevin’s return from the United States, will report the result of their talk to a meeting of the full Cabinet this morning. Cabinet, on their recommendation, may take the final decision on the timing of. the election. But it is likely to maintain close secrecy on its decision until the Conservative Party’s annual conference ends to-morrow. v

Cabinet is said to be equally divided on the question of timing. One section, headed by the Health Minister, Mr Aneurin Bevan, and supported by Left Wing Labour members, favours a November election. Another section takes the view that the Government should run its full course to mid--1950. ' * > There is abundant evidence that the nation’s prospects are being imperilled by uncertainty about the Government's economic policy, says The Times in an editorial.' It adds that if Mr Attlee