BRITISH ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1918, Page 3

BRITISH ELECTIONS.

’ 1 EVE OF THE POLLING. c lack of’excitement. fAUSTRALIAN & N-Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION'] LONDON, Dec. 13. Tho British general election, in which < twenty-one million voters ulll ’ morrow ,though it is described as the r most momentous election of modern t times,” is actually characterised by a. curious lock of excitement. Time i almost an apathy. This is notably the case so far as the eight million new nomen voters are concerned. Then vei diet no political prophet ventmes to forecast, but that the Coalition will be victorious is certain. The only question is as to the size of thc Coahtion majority. Estimates vary from one hundred and thirty seats, over all other parties together. It is asserted, however, that the results of a canvass have made many : candidates nervous regarding what hitherto had been considered safe seats. At least two hundred seats arc considered doubtful. . , , r The doubtful seats include those ol some prominent men like Rt. Hon. Mr McKenzie, and Mr Henderson, and the following Cabinet Ministers, Mr. ilacNamara, Sir Eric Geddes, Mr. Stanley, Mr Roberts, Mr. Barnes and Mr. Addison * , The Labour .Party are now moie confident. They hope to secure more than the one in thirty seats which they originally estimated winning. The Coalitionists concede that labour will win a minimum of eighty Tho Coaliion papers declare that the sole issue of the election is as to whether the Government which organised the victory of the war is to be returned to make„ peace, and to organise the work of reconstruction. The Opposition papers declare that the issues which the voters should bear in mind are: A Free Parliament; Free Trade; and No Conscription. UNIONIST CANDID ATE’S DEATH. LONDON, Dec. 14. Colonel Lucas, Unionist candidate, died after nomination. His widow stands in his place. Polling at Kensington has been postponed till the 20th December. AN ANTI-CONSCRIPTIONIST. ' LONDON, Dec. 14. Mr. Lloyd George in a statement on the eve of .the poll, said he wished to make it indisputably clear that lie stood for the abolition of conscription in all lands. Otherwise, he said the I eacc Conference would be a failure and a sham. Any British delegate at the Conference must labour towards tha end. POLLING PROCEEDING. LONDON, Dec. 14. Polling in London to-day is proceed ing steadily in many places. Ihe wo men are prominent in exercising tliei ““ voting privilege. POLITICAL OPINIONS. Received this day at 2.3(3 p.in N LONDON December 15. Coalition newspapers aro of opinio: that Hon. Lloyd George will continu to include in the Government men c business and push and go, tho need fo which is as insistent as ever. Tho new papers point out that while ns far » England in concerned, conscription m continental sense is dead some fori of national training will possibly 1 an essential factor for national sccunt;