THE ELECTIONS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 163, 15 August 1914, Page 13

THE ELECTIONS.

OPINIONS OF MEMBERS. PROBABLY HELD IN DECEMBER. [From our own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 15. Amongst the interesting questions engaging the attention of politicians at the present time is that affecting the holding of the general election in the early part of December, and opinions are divided on the subject. Several members hold that it would be unwise to take the election at a time when the minds of the people are occupied by matters of Imperial interest. They point out that it appears to be almost impossible to have universal peace within the next six months, and until the most critical events in the war are over it is argued that there will be no chance of* securing even a reasonable interest from the public, in* either the political election or the licensing poll. On these grounds several members on both sides of the House think it would be advisable to postpone the election and introduce at the same time a system of fouryearly Parliaments, an extension of the Parliamentary period which has been discussed freely amongst legislators, and also amongst certain sections of the publie for some time. As against these contentions other members argue that the very fact that a serious war involving the fate of the British Empire is in progress necessitates a normal procedure in regard to the Parliamentary election. They point out that all sections of the community recognise that the best way to minimise anything in the nature of a panic, or undue anxiety, is to go forward with the ordinary affairs of life in the Dominion, and to do everything possible to retain the prosperity and even going progress of industry, which have been features of New Zealand for many years. There is nothing to hinder legislators to adjust political differences and go on withthe business of the country in the usual way, and to proceed with the election at the appointed date. The matter has been discussed by the members of the Government Party, and apparently the bulk of opinion favours the holding of the elections at the usual date. In all probability the question will form an interesting topic for discussion in the House after the adjournment. The chances 'are that the "elections will be | held.