BRITISH GENERAL ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 67, 13 December 1918, Page 5

BRITISH GENERAL ELECTION

FINAL WEEK OF CAMPAIGN

2018 CANDIDATES

(Rec. December 12, 7.55 p.m.) London, December 11. The general election campaign is now in its final week, and both pace and interest have quickened. The number of contests where there aire more than two candidates i- unprecedented. Threecornered fights are the rule rather than the exception. This is generally accounted lor by the disappearance to a largo extent of the old party distinctions, and also the doubling of the electorate by the Reform Bill and the great changes in the boundaries of constituencies. It is useless for anyone to pretend lo know how the women's and soldiers' votes will go. Altogether there are 471 Coalition .candidates, comprising 322 Unionists and 131 Liberals, and 18 National Democrats; 1017 non-Coalition candidates, comprising 75 Unionists, 253 Liberals, 376 Labour candidates, 12 Socialists, 23 -representatives of the discharged soldiers, 24 National Party candidates, 78 Sinn Feincrs, 59 Irish Nationalists, 120 Independents and unclassified candidates, and 7 from the Agricultural Party. Tlio balance represents various small sections. The general feeling in Britain is that •Mr. Lloyd George will come bnck with an immense majority of combined Unionists and Liberals, with the principal minority composed of Labour members, who may be expected to outnumber the Liberals l who are supporting Mr. Asquith. The voting is on Saturday, but. the rotes will not be counted until two weeks Inter owing to the oversea soldiers' votes.—Renter. FIVE ELECTION "OINTS. London, December 11. The Coalition Whips have issued m official statement declaring that Mr. Lloyd George's five election points we.. - *: (1) To punish the Kaiser. (2; To make Germany pay. (3) To get the soldiers home ns early as possible. (4) Fair treatment for returned soldiers and sailors. (5) Better housing and social conditions.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Renter.

COALITION PEACE PLANK London, December 11. Following on tho Coalition declaration that the Goveirnment's policy will bo to influence tho Peace Conference in favour of the world-wide abolition of conscription, coupled with Mr. Lloyd George's denial that Britain intends to retain an army of four million young men for four years, Mr. .T. It. Thomas, M.P., speaking at Manchester, road a letter, tho authenticity of which ho was prepared to vouch for, from a General at the AVar Office to a colleague, stating that it was intended to maintain a national army of twenty divisions, but that nothing would be disclosed until after the elections, and not till the League i.f Nations nonsense had been discussed. The letter explains that training would include four years during tho school period, a year's service upon reaching the ago of 19, and brief periods of training up to 10. Tlte Free Church leaders are using political influence against the Coalition, and have issued a manifesto to all ministers, pointing out that the Coalition Government is not a representative Government, and urgina tho progressive people in the Free Churches to avert a catastrophe to the movements of propress by casting their votes for candidates who stand firm against the Coalition's sinister design—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ELECTION SCENES IN IRELAND SOME LIVELY INCIDENTS. London, December 11._ Stories are told of election scenes in various parts of .Ireland. There, have been frequent figh f s between the Nationalists and tho Sinn Feiners. sticks, stones, and bottle? being the, _ favourite weapons. A number were seriously injured. Some Sinn Feiners replied with revolvers.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK SPEECH BY MR. AVTNS'TON . CHURCHILL. . London, December 11. Mr. Winston Churchill, speaking at Dundee, dwelt on the gravity ef the British financial situation, which, however, ho was confident we-would courageously overcome. About six-sevenths of our debt, he said, was due lo ourselves. We sent America four hundred millions 'sterling in 'bullion and about a thousand ii.illions in American securities, and most of tliis* sum «'i\s incurred on behalf of our allies and Russia. We not only lost interest on the securities, but had lo p.-y interest on them to the British ]»-aprietors from whom the Government had taken them over. A strong Allied Commission is inquiring in every direction rcgai'din? German assets which are capable of being distrained far 'he purpose of discharging the cost of the war.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.