FEDERAL ELECTIONS

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 138, 9 December 1919, Page 7

FEDERAL ELECTIONS

WHAT THE NATIONALISTS

STAND FOR

SIDE ISSUES CLOUD THE ATMOS-

PHERE,

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.)

SYDNEY, Bth December

It would be difficult to elaborate the issues really to, be decided by tbe electors at next Saturday's poll. Both parties claim as their main planks anti-profiteer-ing* and financial ■ readjustment. Since the Labour policy was announced the atmosphere has become clouded by many side issues of Hughesism and Ryanism. Mr. Watt, the Federal Treasurer, as spokesman for the Nationalists, defines the position as follows :■ "Whether we smash up the States apd have unification; whether we authorise the experiment of universal Sociajism; whether 'this country is to be ruled by law or by direct action; whether we are to have a career pf financial debauchery and insolvency; whether we are to overthrow compulsory training and declare Australia defenceless, and open to any predatory nation; whether Bolshevism shall stalk" in Australia;,- and whether we shall weaken and destroy our Empire partnership." The Labour supporters scornfully repudiate Mr. Watt's assumption thattheir success at the polls would lead to the fulfilment of his comprehensive jeremiad.