BRISK CAMPAIGN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24409, 21 September 1940, Page 12

BRISK CAMPAIGN

AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS RECORD NOMINATIONS A TOMATO FOR MR STEVENS (By Tasman Air Mail) SYDNEY, Sept. 18. The record number of 338 candidates will contest the Federal elections on September 21. For the 19 vacancies in the Senate there are 65 candidates; and for the 75 seats in the House of Representatives there are 273 contestants. The total 'surpasses the previous record —established at the 1934 elecseven. Aspirants for the Senate number two less than in 1934. but candidates for the House of Representatives are greater by nine. The 1934 record was due largely to'the advent of the Douglas Credit Party This time, three Labour groups in New South Wales, the adoption of multiple endorsement. by the United Australia Parly in that State, ;and’ a large crop of. independent candidates, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria, have produced the record. New Talent The greatest response to the call for new talent has been in New South Wales. In; this State there are 21 candidates for the three vacant New South Wales seats in the Senate, and 135 candidates for 28 seats m the House nf Representatives. Victoria has 65, candidates for 20 seats ip the House of Representatives and 10 for four places to be filled in The Senate.' In other States the nominations are no more than usual. Of the 135 candidates for the House of Representatives in New South Wales. 32 have been endorsed by the United Australia Party, 12 by the United Country Party, 28 by the Official Labour Party (one for every seat), 18 by the Labour (NonCommunist) Party, and 19 by the New South Wales breakaway party. There are 26 Independents, including five who are being “ supported and recommended ” by the Australian Defence Movement, which is also supporting three candidates for the Senate. Four women are among the candidates in-New South Wales, Mrs Adela Pankhurst Walsh, daughter of the famous English suffragette, is standing for the Senate, and the others are contesting House of Representatives seats. Diverse Occupations The 135 candidates who have nominated for the 28 New South Wales seats have 61 different occupations. Farmers head the list with 11, candidates, and there are four graziers; - Eight are journalists, six are barristers, another six merchants. Medical practitioners, teachers and secretaries total five each. Two candidates have the distinction of being the sole representatives of their groups. One is a “ retired High Court judge,” and the other a “ financier and bookmaker.” Of labourers, company directors and solicitors there are four each. Three hotelkeepers are nominated. The Minister for Supply (Sir Frederick Stewart) is a “ Minister of the Crown.” Three retiring members give their occupation as “M.H.R.” The campaign has be<aj brisk. The most exciting bidden" 39 far involved the former Premier of New South Wales, Mr B. S. B Stevens, who is contesting the Lang elector-ate-against the Labour member, Mr D. Mulcahy. tylr Stevens was addressing a meeting at Campsie. a suburb in the electorate, when a youth threw an over-ripe tomato at him. The aim was true. The tomato hit Mr Stevens square between the eyes. The youth was undetected in the ensuing commotion, in which Mr Stevens seemed the coolest man in the laughing, squabbling crowd. His cool demeanour as he wiped away the mess from his face gained him more votes than an hour’s speaking.