AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21224, 21 September 1940, Page 10

AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS

OUTCOME IN DOUBT KEEN CONTESTS LIKELY (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) SYDNEY, Sept. 20 Although the polling in the Federal elections takes place tomorrow (Saturday) following a whirlwind campaign by the 338 candidates for the House of Representatives, it is quite impossible, according to disinterested political observers, to predict the outcome. Early in the campaign the belief was popular that the Menzies Government, in the emergency circumstances of today, with its “all-in” war policy, would undoubtedly receive a mandate to carry on. Labour’s programme, similarly based, appeared to admit of no substantial reason why there should be any changing of horses crossing the stream.

Within the past fortnight, however, a change has come over the scene. Customary side-issues and faultfinding have intruded to the Government’s disadvantage and discomfiture. Strangely, most criticism when directed against the Ministry has come from members of the United Australia Party and not alone from Labour opponents. The state of the parties at the dissolution was:—House of Representatives: Labour, 33; United Australia Party, 26; United Country Party, 15; Independent, 1. Senate: Government, 20; Labour, 16.