THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1918, Page 4

THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.

A LACK OF EXCITEMENT. ESTIMATED BESHJLT. OPPOSITION MANIFESTO. Received Dee. 15, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 13. T!jo election, in whicn 21,U00,uQ0 vofc ters poll to-morrow, though' described ai the most momentous of modern times is charadorised by a curious lack of cs eilement, almost amounting to apathy Tlii ■? is notably the case so far as th; eight million new women voters arc to* cprned, whoso Verdict no political pro phet ventures to forecast. That the Coalition will !be victoriou* is a certainty. TbqsonJy question is tli« size of the majority. Estimates vary from ISO to 139 over all tl}e other par- : ties,- but it is asserted that the feaitlts- "' of the canvass-made by many vi the candidates has made them nervous regarding what are considers;! to be "safe" seats, and at least 200 seats are doubt' ful, including" those of jJrom.inent niea like the Eight Hons. E. McKetroa and A >, Henderson, and Ministers sueh as Dr. MaaSamara. Sir Erie-Gcddes, Sir Aj Stanley, G. H. Roberts, fl, S:Barnes, and Dr. Addison. . •,:.;. The Eabor Party are iibvr more confident of securing more than the 130 seat* which they originally estimated. Coalitionists concede Labor a minimum ■ of 80 seats. The Coalition papers ei)4|hai)ise that tho «ole issue is whether the; Government Which organised, victory should be' re» turned to make peace and organise reconstruction, to which the Opposition press retorts: "Vote for a free Parliament, free trade, and no conscription."-* Aus.-NZ. Cable Assoc and .Renter'.

CONSCRIPTION MUST GO.

OR PEACE CONFERENCE A FAIEURi STATEMENT BY BRITISH PREMIES, Received' De- 35, 6.5 p.m. London,' Dec. 13, i Mr. Lloyd George, in a statement on the eve ol the poll, says that he wished to make it indisputpbly clear that ho I Etood for the abolition of conscription ill armies of all lands, otherwise the Peace Conference will ,be a failure and « sna-m. Any British delegate at the Conference; must labor towards that end. —Aus.-Ji.2j Cable Assoc, and Reuter. J A CANDIDATE'S WIDOW STANDS ' Received Dec- 15, 5.5 p.m. London. Dec. 13. Colonel Lucas, who v»os -th* T " 'inisK' candidate fpr Kensington, died au-i' nomination. His widow stands in his place. The election ha* b'c*ti : postponed till December 20.—Aus.-N"3 Cable Ass<* ciation and Reuter. WOMEN LARGELY APATHETIC. UNCOMPROMISING ATTTUDB. TOWARDS GERMAN EXCITEMENE IN IRELAND. Received Dec. J.,5, 6.5 pjtt. London, Dee. 13 (via 1 America). .The Times says that London women are largely apathetic at the elections, but interest will gradually grow in the same way as In Australasia. There is greater keenness in the north, where the. women have received o ro3gTi sort of political education, through industrial and co-operative organisations. Candidates say that women everywhere, show an uncompromising attitude towards Germany, and are ardent for radical social reconstruction. Excitement is growing in Ireland, where there are violent collisions be* tween the Sinn Feiners and the Nationalists- Many meeting have !been broken up. In several instances revolver wounds have been infiTctea, but the missiles are mostly eggs, bottles, and atonesv—Beutst Service. WOMEN PROMINENT. Received Dec. 15, 11.40 p.m. London, Deo. I*. Polling in London is proceeding stead-, ily. In many places women were prom-, inent in exercising their voting privi-j leges.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc and' Reuter.