THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 4947, 23 September 1914, Page 4

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

| HELD AT USUAL TIME. SIR JOSEPH WARD OBJECTS. I Electric Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night, i The Premier stated in the House ■ this afternoon that the matter of i elections had been the subject of a | conference between himself and the 1 leader of the Opposition, and afterwards between them and some of the leading members of their parties, j They were not able to arrive at a de- , cision that was unanimous because j the matter was so difficult. One of the greatest difficulties was that there was no precedent for the post- ' porting of elections and from the de--1 mocratic point of view the position I was that every three years the peo- ) pie should have the right to select their representatives in Parliament, 1 and 1 in his opinion no self-respecting | Government oould retain office for a I longer period than the term for which j Parliament was elected. He had * i taken the opinion of those in the best positon to judge of affairs in Europe j during the next few months, and l there was a, general feeling that durj ing the winter it will be impossible j to carry on hostilities, so that when j the elections are proceeding in this j country no fighting will be proceeding. Moreover a great change had come over the face of the war during the past few weeks, and there is no doubt as to the ultimate issue. Every- | one has fully decided that the war j has to be carried to a successful conc'usion. He was therefore of opinion | that the elections should be held j about the usual time—it was not possible to fix the exact date at this * juncture, but probably early in De--1 eember.

Sir Joseph Ward said he was strongly opposed to the elections taking place this year. In his opinion New Zealand should, be kept outside the effects of party or political strife. A general election, even in normal Circumstances, meant dislocation of commerce ,and it would be unfair to add to troubles during war time. It was entirely beside the question as to whether the elections would be favourable to one piarty or another. He was of opinion that the elections should be deferred until March next. He realised the difficulties-before the Premier, and nothing but insuperable difficulties would justify the extensions of the elections. It will be obnoxious to him to have the elections this year. It would mean letting loose the war dogs of local politics. There was something to be considered more than who should rule in New Zealand. He had no fear so far as his party was concerned. but he would rather be the leader of a defeated p>arty than one who oould claim an inane victory. Replying to Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Massey condemned the idea of holding elections during the month ot March as being one of the busiest months of the year. He could further see that his party was liable to the accusation of holding on to their seats if the elections were put off. Sir Joseph Ward replied that when the Opposition was unanimous in its desire to have the elections put off, that argument would be taken out of the mouths of the critics of the Government.