THE COMMONWEALTH ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1717, 7 April 1913, Page 4

THE COMMONWEALTH ELECTIONS.

The idea has been growing in Australia that at tho. coming Federal elections Labour will bo defeated. At least, this was.a very general' opinion amongst inpartial observers until quite recently. Latterly the outlook lias not been so chcering for the friends of Liberalism. It is not so much that Labour lias gained any ground as that there is a lack of inspiring leadership on the side of Liberalism. Mn. Cook apparently is not a born loader of men, and he certainly does not arouse any great enthusiasm amongst his following. He has some sterling qualities and will probably rcceivc the loyal support of the party, but should it be successful . it will hardly be clue to its leader. The outline of the policy with which the Liberals are going to the htisfcings, which was cabled here on Saturday last, contains nothing new or of interest, and tho fight will mainly be waged on the question of administration and caucus ruin. ITere the Liberals nro on solid ground and if they rnuke tho most of their case may

turn the scale in their favour. One of the weaknesses in the fighting strength of the Federal Opposition is a split which lnay lead to it being in the unhappy position of having tou many candidates in the field in some, of tho electorates, particularly in Victoria. At present there is a distinct difference of opinion between the two sections, which _ arc mainly divided over the fiscal issue, but when the last mail left there were some hopes of an arrangement being arrived at which would permit of a straight-out struggle between Labour and Liberalism without any splitting of votes. Tho Government profess every confidence in the outcome of the elections. They certainly havo tho better organisation and they are not troubled with unruly and insubordinate _ candidates. So far the electioneering has not thrown much light on the prospects of the parties. Both the leaders have spoken, and of the two Mn. Fisher probably scored most, but it is too early in tho campaign yet to speculate very Confidently on how public opinion will turn.