TO-DAY’S FEDERAL ELECTION

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1074, 16 December 1903, Page 2

TO-DAY’S FEDERAL ELECTION

FINAL APPEAL BY THE LEADERS

By Telegraph. Press Association. Copyright Received 10.15 p.m., Doc. 15. Sydney, Dec. 15. Mr Deakin makes a final appeal to the Commonwealth electors to vote for fiscal peace and preferential trade as against the opponents with a programme of negation and destruction.

Mr Reid appeals to freetrado and Liberal electors to vote Bgainst the under-forcee of protection and misgoverninent.

EVE OF THE ELECTIONS.

THE NEW FORCE-THE WOMEN’S VOTE.

By Telegraph—Press Assooialion— Copyrighi Received 12.6 a.m., Dec. 16 Sydnoy, Dec. 15.

The stroots have an animated appearance to-night, tho test match and to-mor-row’s elections dividing honors as subjects of most importance. The newspaper offices have made groat preparations for posting,tho roturns. Tho campaign generally has been marked with quiet steady work by all parties, free from bitternoss, and on tho eve no excitement is apparent. It is difficult to make anything like a definite forecast, the various press tips boing according to their fiscal leanings. The women’s vote is now an unknown factor. In spito of the many varied appeals to women to rise to their now responsibilities, thero is ground for believing that a very considerable section will not faco the polling booths. Fisoal peace and preferential trade issues will undoubtedly count to somo extont in Ministerialists’ favor.

Thero appears to be a fairly general opinion that the members of the various parties in the new Parliament will not be greatly altered as far as Now South VVales is concerned. Ministerialists express confidence that they will be able to hold their own and perhaps gain a seat or two, whilst Freetraders are hopeful of gaining two, if not three, though they admit one is shaky. In more eases there is a possibility of vote-splitting telling against the Reid party. Great efforts aro being made to capture Sir William Lyne’s seat. The Labor party is well organised and confident.