BRITISH ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1929, Page 5

BRITISH ELECTIONS

SOME FORECASTS. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). (Received this day at 8 a.m.) , LONDON, Feb. Hi. Britain is on the threshold of cue of the most outstanding hardest Fought elections in history. There are three notable features. First:—There is no outstanding issue. Secondly:—The impossibility of forecasting how the voting is likely to go. Thirdly:—This is the first elect ion with universal franchise, bringing in five 'million new voters and the laet that Britain is sick and tired ol industrial depression and crippling taxes. Two prominent Labourites forecast Labour wifi have a big increase, but insufficient for a majority. It is certain the Government is anything but confident. Few except the most optimistic Liberals expect more than fifty Liberals ,in the new (Parliament, though Sir Herbert Samuel thinks the Liberals (may equal the Labourites. Liberalism lias failed to regain much popularity with English electors and there <arc no recent indications that Liberals would coalesce with Conservatives against the Labourites. The recent hatch of bye-eleetious is distinctly flattering to Labourites. Of fifty-eight since the Government took office, the Conservatives won or retained 29, Labourites 21, Liberals 8.