AIR. MASSEY’S MAJORITY

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1924, Page 6

AIR. MASSEY’S MAJORITY

HOPES OF A LIBERAL. AN EARLY ELECTION. NOT AFRAID OF LABOUR. “ I read in the paper the other day that Mr. Massey said he did not think there would be an election this year, and that he did not think the members wanted an election, but I would not be at all surprised to see an election before the full term of the present Parliament,” said Mr. W. Forbes, M.P. for Huranui, at Ashburton this week. Mr. Forbes said that at the last election Mr. Massey returned with a party of 38 members. There was no doubt about that, but three members returned by Liberal votes had gone over to the Reform Party. These men had said that if they turned Mr. Massey out the Labour Party might get control or something very dreadful would happen if another election was precipitated so soon after the general election. k That was their opinion, but his opinion was that no party returned in a minority had a right to govern the country. In Britain the Liberal Party did not mind the Labour Party carrying on in the meanwhile so long as it did not attempt anything that conflicted with the ideals of true Liberalism. After the big elections in Britain Mr. Baldwin, unlike Mr. Massey, recognised his defeat. Although his was yet the strongest party, Mr. Baldwin stepped down and the Labour Party took office. As far as New Zealand was concerned, the Labour Party had 17 members, and if the party obtained sufficient members to run the government of the country it was entitled to do so. It if tried to do anything against t!he interests of the country it would not remain in power very long.