GALLUP POLL SHOWS SWING AGAINST LABOUR

Chronicle (Levin), 7 November 1947, Page 5

GALLUP POLL SHOWS SWING AGAINST LABOUR

Received Thursdav, 10.40 p.m. MKLBOURNK, Nov. 6. While the loss of onlv two seats will oe sutiicient to defeat the Gain Governaient in Saturdav 's election results, a galiup poi! publislied today in t en doubtfu] electorates, shows that Labour lias lost considerable ground in those areas. Owing to the fact that the Government has 110 margin, Labour leaders •ire not happv about the prospect* though offieially tliey decline to accejit the possibility of anv losses. Liberal and Countrv Party leaders, liowevei, are openly jubilant over their prospect* and it will be a severe blow to them il their hopes are unrealised. The gallup poll showed that, despite Lahoui' elainis, bank nationalisation is a real issue, especially in the countrv. Some Labour members, despite anv anti-Labour swing, could retain tlieir seats on personal popularitv. For in- 1 stanre, Opposition clainis that it cau win Dundas from the Attorney-General, Mr. Slater, are not taken verv seriously. Mr. Slater lias been the Member t'or Dundas for 30 years. Another Minister said to be in danger is Mr. Frank Field, Minister of Education and Member for Daiulenong, an outer metropolilan seat, but liere also Mr. Field 's popularitv will probably save the day for liiin. it is upon seats which Labour won with small majorities in 1945 that the Opposition pins its hopes. These seats are: — Metropolitan, Albert Fark, Foxhill, Mentone, Oakleigh and Prahran; countrv, Hampden, Ripon, Goulburn, Portland, Gippsland. Xortli Midlands and Mildura. All these seats have been previously hehl by non-Labour and it the anti-Labour swing is great, as forecast, all could revert to the previous allegiance. Midlands is at present represented by Mr. Stoneburn, Minister of Transport, whose rttconl as a Minister and member is probablv gooo enough to save liiin. Most of the others are held by comparatively new meinbers.