MODERATE LEAGUE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 196, 23 September 1914, Page 11

MODERATE LEAGUE.

PRESIDENT'S OPINION. Press Association WELLINGTON, September 22. On the announcement being made that it was the intention of the Government to proceed with the elections at the usual time, a newspaper representative saw Mr A. S. Menteath, president of the New Zealand Moderate League, which was instrumental in organising the public petition for postponement. Mr Menteath said the decision would be received with great regret' throughout the country. Indications showed that public opinion waß strongly against the election's being held this year, and it would be iio surprise if this was demonstrated by a small and undecisive vote being recorded. : Ail the political organisations would now be forced to immediately embark on an election campaign at a time when internal peace and unity were of the utmost value. Public men would be asked to divert their attention from matters of grave Imperial concern to give heed to the claims of political parties, and the general public, whose own flesh arid blood would probably be actfvely engaged at the front by election time, was to be expected to calmly consider the claims of rival candidates for office. This was another occasion on which further illustration could have been given to the world of the patriotism and determined unity of the British peoples in times of national stress, but unfortunately it had been missed.

'' So far as thu Moderate League is concerned," said Mr Menteath in eonelusion, "we approached this matter in ;a purely non-party spirit, and we would like to take this opportunity of thanking the public for their ready support. A very strong public appeal for a postponement was made, and it* is worthy of note that no counter-demonstration of any kind was forthcoming from the public. The various organisations are now forced, much against the better promptings of the country, to enter on an election campaign which will be rendered doubly strenuous on account of the inevitable preoccupation of the electors. The Moderate League, however, has a clear conscience that it has done everything humanly possible to avert this, regrettable state of affairs.''