AUSTRALIAN

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1922, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN

A'Jfct'CUALIAN ANO N.Z.JIABLE ASSOCIATION. BIG SYDNEY FIRE. SYDNEY, December U- \ lire gutted a large store belonging to the Harbour Trust Commissioners >n Erskine Street. The store was crammed mostly with inflammable mate.ials, including a large quantity of turpentine, wax vestas, kann gum and oils, which burned with extreme fierceThe gas generated from the turpentine caused a severe explosion winch added to the damage besides injunng two firemen. The damage is estimated at £10,(100. FEDERAL ELECTIONS. POLLING ON SATURDAY. Received this day at 12.25 p.ml SYDNEY, December 10. Probably never bad political prophets a more open chance of spoiling their reputations' than in connection with the present Federal election campaign. Up to the closing rallies there developed no outstanding features other than to emphasise that the struggle was primarily one of party interests, combined with a revolt by a section of the old Nationalists party against Mr Hughes’ alleged self centred long-con-tinued domination. The better personal platform and press duel between Hughes and Piddington involving a general rewaslting of linen over tile present of £25,000 sterling to Mr Hughes and other resurrected bones of contention of a more or less personal nature, added zest to an otherwise somewhat flat campaign. With a Labour candidate in the field Hughes and Piddington "ill decide a straight-out duel on Saturday. Piddington is standing as an independent. He will, however, carry the bulk of Labour as well as the anti-Hughesite vote, and is regarded ns having a bare fighting cliance against the Prime Minister. Liberals under the leadership of the Watts, comprising Nationalist revolters against tlic Hughes regime and opponents of the removal of the capital to Canberra are a. disturbing factor and will carry 'some weight principally in Victoria and South Australia. The party is already safe so far as the leader is concerned, Mr Watt being elected unopposed, but that he will get a. strong following is not very likely. The Country Party, representing another breakaway from the Nationalist centre has• gathered good support in all the States and will have to he reckoned with. As on the eve of every election each party proclaim its prospects rosy, the Nationalists profess it a certainty that {hoy will secure a majority. The Country Party reckons on ft great accession to its strength in the new House. The Liberals are strongly optimistic and Labour looks to overthrow its combined opponents. As a set-off to the illness of Mr Charlton (the Labour leader) preventing his participation in the campaign he lias secured his return unopposed. -The indications are that the Nationalists will lose some seats to the Country and Liberal parties. Mr Hughes will probably not have a majority against the other sections. Labour will fairly well hold its own and possibly make gains. One indicator is the Country Party has advised its supporters to give preference votes to National candidates. Nationalists are expected to return the compliment.