FEDERAL ELECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 68, 13 December 1919, Page 7

FEDERAL ELECTIONS

EVE OF THE BATTLE TO-DAY'S PROSPECTS REVIEWED By Telegraph-Press Aasociation-CopyriuM (Kcc. December 12, 7.15 p.m.) Sydney, December 12. Public interest in the general election is marked by considerable apathy on tho part of the genera! body of voters, and the campaign is closing quietly. Tho looming bigness of after-war problems and the serious need of making a wieo choice of representatives fo deal with theso problems, has had an undoubted ■steadying effect, throwing many normally exciting side isues into llio background. Then the two policies of the two main parties dilfer little, excepting as far as tho methods of carrying them into, effect ave concerned. ilioth centre chiefly round clamant post-war industrial and financial readjusiinont. The sectarian spirit tas to an extent been apparent in the campaign, and i# expected to havo some effect at the polls. Tho new system of preferential voting has the:'danger not' only of spoiling effective votes owing- to the voters' failure to properly understand the system, but also in creating surprises in the results. The Fanners'-Party, a development chiefly frosi tho Nationalist ranks, is a factor to bo counted with, and is certain to win a number of seats from each' side, and very possibly secure.an important controlling position in the new House. ' Its leaning, however, will be more Nationalist than Labour,

So fin , as Hie Senate elections are concerned, however, the result may go Labour cannot secure a majority in that House,' sufficient of its membership not having to seek re-election to give the . Nationalists 'a preponderance. All parties face the battle with stereotyped declarations of confidence.

' Judging from • the surface indications, with mi allowance for surprises tho new voting system may produce, the Nationalists ought to secure a majority with the party ranks considerably changed. Mr. Hughes anticipates a hard fight at Bendigo, and two ether Ministers, Messrs. AVebster anil Glynu, are considered not too safe. Mr. liyan has ft sure seat in West Sydney, unless all precedents aro upset. All parlies have fought somewhat shy of the referendum iesuo. It is almost generally admitted that some extension of the. powers of the Commonwealth (jovernincnt are necessary to deal with profiteering and (■-.institutional difficulties, but Slate interests are so interwoven therewith that the crucslion is a burning one. Already similar pou-ors hnvo been asked for twice, and . have been refused by the electors, though the necessity of.extended powers has become more insistent in the face of post-war problems,. and the outcome is problematical. It will be no great surprise if Mr. Hiighea fails to got a ukase to tamper with the Constitution. The closing of the hotels on polling day is doubtless regarded «s a. not unmixed blessing by the publicans, whose supplies have sadly dwindled as the result of the beer employees' strike.—Press Assn.. ■'' I/. '.'