POLITICAL SITUATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 4048, 13 October 1931, Page 24

POLITICAL SITUATION.

RUMOUR OF EARLY ELECTION.

DECISION NOT YET REACHED. ? WELLINGTON, October 10. There was a puzzled air in the parliamentary lobbies this week end. Alembers of the House of Representatives, who were preparing for several weeks of hard but interesting work upon the financial proposals of the Coalition Government are perturbed by the rumour that the Alinistry is hastening the passage of its legislative programme with the object of appealing to the country at the end of November. It is not so much the suggestion that an election had become necessary that shattered the peace of mind of members, because the question of postponing the election had to be disposed of by Cabinet very soon, but the-fact that they as members of the political organisations represented in Parliament knew nothing whatever about an intrigue which at first appeared to be well founded. An official statement from the Prime Alinister that the matter had not yet been considered by Cabinet cleared away the impression that the question had been decided. It has not so far been discussed in Cabinet in more than a cursory’ way. Other members of the Alinistry confirm this statement and declare that the programme of legislation has been placed first in importance, and the possible necessity of postponing the election in order to carry this programme through, has been shelved until the timely moment arrives to discuss it. The discussion induced by this rumour has, nevertheless, left members wondering what is passing in the minds of the members of the Cabinet.

“ We know nothing at all about what is going on in the counsels of tlie great,” remarked one member in the lobbies today when expressing the opinion that an early opportunity should be taken by Cabinet to meet party caucuses and inform them of the probable line of action.

So many- complicating factors are entering this controversial question, however, that Cabinet itself has not reached the stage of making up its mind upon the best course to pursue. It is common knowledge that until recently there was not unanimity among Alinisters upon the desirability of extending the life of the present Parliament. Several of the Alinisters were keen to tackle the job for which the Coalition was formed and appeal immediately to the country, believing that unless there was a very solid reason the general election should not be postponed. On the other hand there was a strong feeling that the life of Parliament should be extended even before the magnitude of the Coalition’s task had been fully determined. Whether there has been a change of front or not, giving ground for the belief that an early election will be precipitated, cannot be determined just now, but it is clear that, the parties will have to be consulted before action is taken and members given an opportunity oi expressing their views. When that happens one of the most difficult and important questions to be decided will be whether the parties will go to the polls as a coalition or as separate parties. Many difficulties are in the way of either of these courses. One of the reasons for the election rumour disturbing members was the recollection of a disagreeable incident which happened in the House early on Thursday morning during the discussion on the Prime Aiinister’s resolution to adopt the report of the Railways Board stopping the lines under construction. The Prime Alinister had promised a nonparty discussion and division, much to the chagrin of some of his colleagues who saw trouble ahead. When the counting of heads early in the morning showed that a division upon three lines under discussion would result in the defeat of the board’s report by three votes the party whips were sent around and members of the Government who had spoken in favour of certain amendments were induced through party loyalty to vote against them. It later transpired that these members were told very bluntly that if the report were defeated an election would follow immediately. Thus these members reconsidered their position and voted accordingly’. The responsibility for this unfortunate incident appears to rest on the shoulders of the Prime Alinister, who had promised the Labour Leader (Mr H. E. Holland) in the Economic Committee and again in the House that the party whips would not crack during the discussion on the railways report. As this report involved the railway construction policy of the Government, however, the Prime Alinister was compelled to retract and break faith with his own members and with the Opposition. Had the report been defeated an appeal to the country would have been inevitable. This left many of the members with the impression that they were being excluded from the confidence of their chiefs. The rumour of an early election did not improve this state of mind. It is more than likely that finality will not be reached upon this question until the result of the general election in England is announced. The conditions here are in a measure analogous to these in the Old Country, particularly the political structure of Parliament, and the last move in this interesting development will, if possible, be delayed until overseas events provide premises upon which to base a case for an appeal to the electorates in this Dominion.