AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS.
EVE OF POLLING DAY. FORECAST OF RESULTS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Sydney, Dec. 15. Probably never had the political prophets a more open chance of spoiling their reputations than in conneu’on with the present Federal election, lhe campaign up .to the closing rallies has developed no outstanding features other than to emphasise that the struggle is primarily one of party interests combined with a revolt by a section of the old Nationalist Party against Mr. Hughes’ alleged self-centred and longcontinued domination. But the bitter persona] platform and Press duel between Messrs. Hughes and Piddington, involving a general re-washing of linen over the present of £25,000 to Mr. Hughes, and other resurrected bones ot contention of a more or less personal nature, has added zest to the otherwise somewhat flat campaign. With no Labor candidate in the field Messrs. Hughes and Piddington will decide a straight-out duel on Saturday. Mr. Piddington is standing as an Independent. He will, however, carry the bulk of the Labor, as well as the antiHughesite vote, and is regarded as having a bare fighting chance against the Prime Minister.
The Liberals, under the leadership of Mr. Watt, comprising the Nationalist -revolters against the Hughes regime, and the opponents of the removal of the capital to Canberra, are a disturbing factor, and will carry some weight, principally in Victoria and South Australia. The party is already safe, so far as its leader is concerned, as Mr. Watt has been elected unopposed, but that he will get a strong following is not very likely. The Country Party, representing another breakaway from the Nationalist centre, has gathered good support in all the States, and will have to be reckoned with.
A.s cn the eve of every election, each party proclaims its prospects as rosy. The Nationalists profess it certain that they will .secure a majority. The Country Party reckons on a great accession to its strength in the new House. The Liberals are strongly optimistic, and Labor looks to the overthrow of its combined opponents. As a set-off to the illness of Mr. Charlton, the Labor leader, preventing his participation in the campaign, he has secured his return unopposed. The indications are that the Nation--1 alists will lose some seats to the Country and Liberal Parties, and Mr. , Hughes will probably not have a majorI ity against the other sections. Labor i will fairly well hold its own and possibly make gains. One indicator is.that i the Country Party lias advised its supporters to give their preference votes to the Nationalists candidates and the Nationalists are expected to return the compliment.
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Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1922, Page 5
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434AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS. Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1922, Page 5
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