FINAL SHOTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 110, 22 February 1950, Page 5

FINAL SHOTS

BRITISH ELECTION - NO PORTENTS SEEN , (N.Z.P. A.—Copyright) (Rec. 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 21. Britain's rival electioneers worked up a final crescendo to-night, 36 hours before polling, but sought vainly for any sign of success or failure, as the campaign swung back from foreign policy to really crucial domestic issues—in which housing now predominates.

Independent observers would prophesy only that, if Socialists or Conservatives just manage to scrape home, some present contenders for Cabinet office are going to get the shock of their lives. There is a general feeling that, if the Socialist Partp captures the verdict by a narrow majority, Mr Attlee will interpret this as being as much a vote of censure as an outright, defeat. If he accepts office, under such'circumstances, it is believed he is likely to move swiftly in getting rid of some of the alleged cabinet “dead wood.”

On the Conservatives’ side, a fair proportion of Mr Churchill’s shadow cabinet can expect to materialise as Ministers, even if the Right Wing party scores only by a narrow margin. Sections of the public, not otherwise hostile, are said to be unresponsive to the Government’s enthusiastic claim of 1,000,000 houses built. -' Millions are still looking for home and their outlook is jaundiced by the fancy prices still demanded by furnished apartment owners.

Times of Results A Tory census of the issues influencing voters, announced to-day, puts housing an easy first, with living costs, the value of money, freedom from unnecessary controls, taxation cuts, maintenance of social services, and full employment, following in that order. Estimates from most constituencies show that the first General Election result may be expected by 10.30 p.m. (Greenwich mean time) on Thursday, and, when counting ceases for the night at 3 a.m. on Friday, a clear indication of the position in 266 of the 625 constituencies should be known. By 2 p.m. on Friday results in a further 155 constituencies are expected, to be clear. ■

As voting is not compulsory, it is estimated that at least 7,000,000 voters are likely to stay away from the poll. In 1945, the percentage of voters to the electorate total \vas 73, in 1935 it was 74, in 1931 80, and 1929 79. The normal calculation is that, as a General Election, one person in five does not vote. Most of London’s 17,000 uniformed police will work a 12 hours’ shift on Election day. All leave has been cancelled in the uniformed branch, and special' constables have been called in. Polling booths will be guarded throughout the day and a watcji kept on candidates’ committee rooms. Extra police will be on duty in the West End at night. „

New Zealand Candidates

Among candidates whose fate wall be decided on Thursday are some with New Zealand connections. Squadron Leader A. E. Cooper, Conservative. candidate for Ilford, was educated in New Zealand. He navigated a Mosquito in the war. Mr Anthony Fell, Conservative candidate for south Hammersmith, was educated at Tauranga High School. He was a sheepfarmer and later came to Britain where he became an engineer. Mr Roy Lowndes, Conservative candidate for Wandsworth and Clapham, t had a distinguished career with the N.Z.E.F. in the Second World War. He was born and educated at Gisbcflne, and later attended Victoria College.

Eve of Poll Messages

Eve of poll messages w r ere issued to-night by the Conservative and Labour campaign leaders. Mr Morgan Phillips, Labour Party secretary, said: “Let our slogan be ‘Every Labour supporter to the poll. I want to see every worker on the doorstep, on the knocker, on duty at the committee room, on patrol with loudspeakers. Do not waste a single moment and do not waste a single vote.” . Lord Woolton, Conservative Party chairman, said: “This is a vital day in the history of our nation. If Britain is to win through, we must have a Government that can lead us on to the right road. All Conservatives must work to ensure the return of the Conservative Government, with an overwhelming majority that will enable it to carry out the will of the nation.”