OPEN-AIR CAMPAIGN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 122, 25 May 1945, Page 6

OPEN-AIR CAMPAIGN

CANDIDATES' FLAWS. !rtec. 12.20 p.m. LONDON, May 24. The General Election, which will be the first to be held in July since 1895, will be an open-air campaign, points out the "Daily Express." Many halls are not available because" of bombing and requisitioning, while the long summer evenings . provide too many counter-attractions for indoor gatherings. Most of the candidates are therefore planning, to make two- or threeminute speeches with' the aid of loudspeakers and to hold meetings outside factories and works. The campaign will be the most expensive'ever.. The cost of 'printing, stationary, rents, wages, petrol, and other items has doubled or trebled since the last election in 1935. Candidates' expenses are still based on the pre-war allowance of 5d per elector in the boroughs and 6d in the country divisions. The number of electors in many 'constituencies has been reduced, and hence Mr. Ernest Bevin, in Central ■■ Wandsworth, for instance, will have a maximum expenses allowance of

£125 less than his predecessor in 1935. Candidates in constituencies , where there is an increase in electors will have more to spend. Each candidate is allowed one ton of paper, with an extra s'cwt for every 10,000 electors over 40,000. The headquarters of each party is also to get one ton for every party candidate. Printing difficulties in many districts will prevent these quotas being used, but some party agents are complaining that the allowance is not enough. Each candidate will also get 750 gallons of petrol in country divisions and 500 gallons in boroughs, for campaigning and taking electors to, the polls. All the parties are short of professional agents. Many are being r released from the forces as quickly as possible, but a number of temporary agents are being taken on after a short training course. After polling day, July' 5, the ballot boxes will be kept under lock and key for 19 days to allow for the arrival of votes from overseas. People qualified to vote in Australia and New Zealand will be ruled out. on account of remoteness, but only a small number are affected.