Thames Star. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1931. NEW ZEALAND ELECTIONS.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 18332, 2 November 1931, Page 2

Thames Star.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1931. NEW ZEALAND ELECTIONS.

"With malic* toward* none; with charity for all; with firmnwa in th* right, as God give* us to so* the riflht."—Lincoln.

Quite a different complexion has been given to the question of holding a general election this year by the decision of the Government to go to the country as a' Coalition, Certain things require to be done to "put the country on an even keel" and their faithful perform-, ance depends on political, stability based on an assured Parliamentary majority. If the Government were to be weakened at the polls,;..'aa might happen if the issues were confused by the separate appeals of three or more parties, there could be no true justification for placing the national welfare in the electoral melting-pot. But since the two major parties have agreed to seels a mandate from the electorates as a Coalition and on a national platform, any threat to the commonweal is or should be removed. The Government can confidently expect to return from the constituencies greatly strengthened by a new and unmistakable verdict and ~to, take up with renewed assurance ,■ lirework of economic rehabilitation t> which it has set its hand. . .Before Parliament is dissolved, however, the Government should ehsuri, that the country's affairs are left, .w such shape that they will not suffej during the inevitable disturbance and political preoccupations inseparable from a. general election. . Members can help a great deal in this oy cooperation in the dispatch of business that is immediately essential, On the other hand, in the few weeks of life that remain to it, Parliament should not attempt to accomplish too much lest important measures 'are scamped. The ideal will be to concentrate on essentials and leavo the rest for a less hurried occasion. In framing its manifestos, the Coalition cannot do better than follow the British example by seeking from the people a "free hand" to take such measures as are deemed necessary to restore the Dominion's economic health. Candidates also will have to be on their guard against giving specific pledges lest their hands be tied and the Government later embarrassed in prosecuting its programme. In the shifting sands of economic change, no one should be asked to promise more than that, according to his ability and judgment, he will seek to serve New Zealand's best interests on the lines of broad, general policy (says a Wellington journal). As between the proposals of the Coalition and the Labour Party, there will be a cleavage sharp enough to define the issue. Care must be taken to avoid confusion by preserving a clear demarcation and this will involve self-sacrifice by many who have political aspirations. They should be prepared, however, to sink their personal ambitions in the national cause. Their desire to serve is" commendable but on this occasion their best service. can be given by clearing the field so that the electors can make no mistake and return an unambiguous and decisive verdict.