THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 572, 31 May 1913, Page 5

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

BOTH SIDES CONFIDENT. THE FINAL SPEECHES. PUBLIC OPINION FAVOURS LABOUR'S RETURN. Uy Te)ecni-l>l'- - I'lviis A Oopyrlirlit Received May 7.20 p.m. Sydney, Friday. The leaders of both political pavtioß in their final flutters ur?od tho Privy Council's dismissal in the r.ppoal of tho coal vend case an »" ment in their favour, Mr Douglas claiming that it proved the need o* the greater powers as.ked for by the referenda. Mr Cook Raid that it war* the weightiest argument conceivable against the referenda. As the polling in open till eight, and counting stops at midnight on Saturday, very few complete returns, even for the House of Representatives, will be nvaiinblo before Mooday; while it will be nome days before tho Sonate and referenda figures can give anything like the sure idea of the position. Forecasting where the wholo Commonwealth is involved in very difficult. Both sides conducted a vigorous and systematic campaign. Lubour'n excellent organisation is again ap* parent. Tho Labour leaders are fairly confident of being able to sit tight as far as electors are concerned, but are Igsb confident over the referenda. Tho Liberals, backed by a strong appoal from employers against the hobbling of industry, are. confident of defeating the referenda. They consider their chance of winning electorates much improved by the largo flouting vote, especially that of I.ho women, which last election wont to labour, being turned as n result, of the big advance in rents and cost of living during' the Labour regime. They also count upon tho late epidemic of strikes and the Governments' attitude thereon, winning them nome previous direct Labour vote. It is anticipated tho altered boundaries under the amended Electoral Act will be responsible for some surprises. It. is not unilkely that spoilt votes will form an appreciable quota, as, besidess voting; for both Houses, electors havo to answer no less than six referenda quest ions. Summin.u up the preponderance of opinion, if appears to favour Labour queezii'.g buck, wit,it the reierenda ruled out.