THE BYE-ELECTION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12540, 11 May 1915, Page 8

THE BYE-ELECTION.

DATK OF SESSION'S OPENING. By Telegraph. (Special to the Oamaru Mail.) Wellington., May 10. A writ for the Bay of islands byeelection will not be issued for several days, possibly not this week, the reason bt'tng that the procedure is different from that of an ordinary byeelection. In the present case' a Gazette notice has to be given of intention to issue the writ, which may be. made returnable within 14 days but not* exceeding 21 days. Thus it will be some time in June before the name of the new member for the Bay of Islands can be known. Parliament, it may be taken for granted, will not meet until the usual "time, the end of June. Ministers seem quite agreed on this point, though they have been taken to task for not calling the House together as soon jis the Government's position became uncertain. The Xew Zealand. Times to-day goes so far as to criticise the Governor for not exercising his prerogative. It states: —''The wonder is that representations have not already been made to the Home Government concerning the partiality that is being displayed by his Excellency in allowing a Government that failed to secure a majority at the general elections to continue in office for months after a practical defeat, and to go on making important appointments and administering the affairs of the country contrary to the will of the majority of the electors without callinu Parliament together to test the feeling of the House. There is no parallel i'or_ such an unconstitutional .state of affairs in the history of this country. Mr Massoy at the present time has only 39 pledged supporters out of a House of 80.''