FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1925, Page 3

FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

THE FINAL RALLIES. ISSUE IN LAP OF GODS. [Australia it N.Z. Cable Association.] SYDNEY, November 10. .Monster filial rallies and the leaders’ appeals brought a bitterly-fought Federal election campaign to an end to-night. Seldom lias an election lieen followed with more general public interest. The electorate appears to be aroused to the delicacy of the position, and to the high importance of national and empire issues involved. Contributing factors to this keener interest undoubtedly are the fact that the voting is compulsory under a penalty of C2, and the wide utilisation of wireless for the broadcasting of speeches and propaganda. The events connected with the British seamen’s strike and the attitude of the AVatersiders’ Union-,, and of certain State Governments thereto, are regarded as significant. whilst daring legislation in various directions recently forced through the New South Wales Assembly, and the Queensland Government’s surrender to the railway-men's demands are fresh in the minds of electors. The campaigning has largely hinged on the Nationalist Parly slogan of “Peace, order, good Government and financial stability,” as allegedly opposed to

Labour’s drift towards revolutionary Communism, class warfare and financial disaster. Labour’s reply lias been

'bat tlie Nationalists are raising and riding the political bogey of “Extrem'sm,” and “.Sovietism” to their own destruction, and have offered a most attractive programme of mere prom-

ises. The run of the voting should he a fair test of what the electorate ns a who!- favours, as. with a few exceptions, the fights will be straight-out 'lies, between Labour and the Nation'lists. or r.alxiiirites against monikers of the Nationalists composing the Country Party. With five or six State Governments under its dominance, Labour appears to consider it has a stranglehold on the position, but an apparent lendency to surrender more •'ml nvire to demands of extremists has bad a. steadying effect, upon more moderate sections. Developments 00111100'cd with the seamen’s strike have opI'lied the eyes of many as to bow far extremists will go if given an opportunity. bill what effect Ibis knowledge will have on the voting remains f<> l,c ! seen. j The Nationalists are relying upon i these startling signs of the times and the pressing need for stabilising the uosition generally to rouse many previously lethargic voters to do their duty. The sweeping win for stable government in New Zealand is aecept"l a« a good omen, and has helped to '■carton tlu- Nationalist camp. It is expected the poll will be beyond normal. Needless to say the leaders of both sides as usual, and with equal fervency, predict their own \ ictory. Failing a landslide similar to that in New Zealand, which is a very unlikely happening as things stand, tin- issue appears to be in the lap of the gods, and which ever sides scores vietory, it will probably be by a narrow majority, with the possibility of a couiiter-bal-aiicing vote in the Senate. Discounting any unforeseen happening, .Mr Jlrure may consider himself a fortunate man if, alter the storm, lie finds himself still firmly balanced in the saddle. When the Federal Parliament dis.«olvcd. the state of the panics in the House of Representatives was: Nationalists. 28. Country Party, HI. Labour, 29. Independents. 5. At the same time I lie Senate was composed as follows: 22 Nationalists, l-t Labourites. Twenty-two Senator-- have retired, leaving in the Senate nine Labourites, and live Nationalists, wlm are not seeking election. To retain control ol I lie Senate the Nat ionalists mil-1

,\ in loiirieeii oil' ol toe t u cut y-i -a o vacancies. They express confidence. I'bey anticipate winning ten or twelve seats.

The winning of the Senate is toe •rueial point. Whoever wins that, hoids the key to the position. There appears to be a prospect ol this election iicing followed by an early double dissolution.

The Labour Party would require to win eleven seats to secure a lunjoiiti, and Labour is Impelul ol winning 12 ,r 13 seats, while tlu- Liberals expect not only to bold what they have, but to gain a few seats. Outside party circles, public leeling apears to favour Labour winning, in the Senate, and the Nationalists bolding the House by a bare majority, but never was tilt- issue more difficult to forecast.

A CANDIDATE’S DEATH. MELBOURNE. Nov. 13. Mr Charles McDonald, formerly Speaker of the Federal House of Represen tali vex, and the Labour candidate for the Kennedy division ol Queensland in the Federal elections died today. , .. Owing to his death, the other candidate is automatically elected. SYDNEY, Nov. 13. A writ has been issued in the Supreme Court cm behnlt ol 1. -1 ■ Ley. formerly a Minister of the Crown in New South AVales, and at present Nationalist candidate for Barton m the Federal elections, against T-. A. Al<Donald. the other candidate b-r Barlon, claiming fifteen thousand sterling for alleged slander, ft is understood the writ is based on certain statements made during the campaign.