NO DECISION YET

Southland Times, Issue 24546, 22 September 1941, Page 4

NO DECISION YET

GENERAL ELECTION OPINION DIVIDED IN WELLINGTON (Special) WELLINGTON, Sept. 21. More than a week after his return to New Zealand the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) still has to announce the Government’s decision whether or not the general election scheduled for this year is to take place. No definite statement has yet been made and speculation in the lobbies of the House of Representatives is still sharply divided on the course the Government is likely to follow. The mind of the Government is apparently not yet made up. Mr Frasers latest statement on the subject, made when a caucus of the Parliamentary Labour Party rose late yesterday afternoon, was: “I have nothing to say beyond the fact that an announcement will be made in due course on the election issue and other questions after certain matters have been gone into. No announcement was made at this stage by the Prime Minister that the caucus had not finished its deliberations. It is understood, however, that the caucus, after meeting twice last week, will assemble again tomorrow for further discussions on the election question and other major issues. FOREMOST ISSUE The election issue has been well to the fore in the past week together with a related subject—the likely duration of the session—but Government spokesmen have been reticent on both topics. Opinion is general that if the election is to be held the remaining business to be dealt with by the House will be brought forward speedily and promptly disposed of to enable members to return to their respective electorates to begin a short campaign. On the other hand if there is to be no election, and thus no good reason for an early finish, the existing session may continue for several weeks. The list of Bills still to be passed is formidable in length, but few of _ the measures are expected to prove highly contentious. The majority are of such a nature that they could be passed rapidly by the House if it was desired to achieve an early rising of Parliament.

By far the most contentious is the Social Security Amendment Bill, now generally known as the Doctors’ Bill, which is next on the order paper after the Standards Bill. The Doctors’ Bill, on which only three members have yet spoken, is expected to occupy at least three full sitting days. It is understood that in spite of protests from various centres the Government intends to proceed with the measure. When the debate is resumed the Hon. W. Nash is expected to continue his speech, which was interrupted by the adjournment of the debate on September 11.