Estimates of Elections In Italy By London Press Writers

Grey River Argus, 7 April 1948, Page 8

Estimates of Elections In Italy By London Press Writers

LONDON, April 6 The London correspondent of the New Zealand Press Association says Survevs by correspondents of British newspapers of the political situation In Italy during the present election campaign continue to suggest that the Communist Popular Front will not win a majority at the polls. One point from their reports is a fear thal a section of the 29,000,00!) voters will not go to the polls. It is said that one of the greatest electoral dangers is political apathy among parts of the population, particularly among uneducated classes of the south. The (Government is anxious that as many as possible should cost their votes, believing that the Communists through their local clubs and cells will get all their votes, and that stay-at-homes are bound to be potential antiCommunist supporters. It is stated, that the Prime Minister (Mr A. de Gasperi), backed by the Church, is urging everyone to vote, and Government ' slogans include exhortations such as: “Vote for whom you please, but vote.” Communists realise that the small, tenant farmer and especially the labourer will often vote for the Popular Front under pressure from the local Communist Party. Many of their posters in small villages declare: “Don’t vote for any party. Vote for the Popular Front.” It is said to be a powerful slogan, especially when accompanied by a visit from a canvasser, Who says: “My good people, if you are in doubt sjtay athome. All this party talk is no good.” Frequently they say: “We are for the Popular Front here —you had better stay at home on the eighteenth.” One explanation of the fact that many Italians seem to require convincing that they should vote is that generations of Fascism stamped out a proper appreciation of voting. Women in particular seem laggard. They obtained the suffrage only in 3946. They are a majority of the electorate and are considered the major stronghold of anti-Communism, largely because of their Catholic sentiments.

The Genoa correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” after a 1000-mile tour of the industrial area of northern ftaly, savs that there is evidence that Communist influence there is declining. ft is generally forecast in the north that the Communists and their Left-Wing Socialist allies will not poll more than a third of the votes in the elections on April LB. Recent trade unon elections in factories, he adds, provide a significant pointer. A large industrial plant in Genoa, which pre viously was almost unanimous in its support of Communist and Left-Wing Soicalist delegates has just .shown a majority poll in favour of Christian Democrats.