GENERAL ELECTION SOON IN BRITAIN TIPPED BY TORY PAPER

Grey River Argus, 22 February 1949, Page 4

GENERAL ELECTION SOON IN BRITAIN TIPPED BY TORY PAPER

If Labour Wins Next Bye-eiection (Rec. 10.5) LONDON, Feb. 21 The political correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says: If the Labour Party decides on a snap general election, as has been suggested, it may bo at the end of May or early in June, as the present favourable tendencies for the Government might have disappeared by the autumn. All Gonservative successes since 1918 have been in the autumn. All of their defeats, with on exception, have been in tlie spring. Labour leaders think that the Conservative criticism of the Supplementary Health Estimates and of the Food Subsidy offers them as good an opening as they likely to get. The Government also knows that there must be economies in the public expenditure. The administration of the health service will have to be tightened up, and food subsidies reviewed, if the rations increase. “Labour members consider that, if they have to do these things, it is better to do them after a successful election, with a possible five years of power ahead. There is also the hope that the Atlantic Pact will soon be a reality, which will obscure, Mr Ernest Bevin’s fumbling over Palestine. If a Government victory in the South Hammersmith by-election is added to the favourable portents, Mr Herbert Morrison may prevail on those who are hesitant to support any move for an election.

Bye-election Campaign is Very Keen (Rec.' 9.55) LONDON, Feb. 21 On Wednesday, Mr Winston Churchill, Conservative Party leader, is making a tour of South Hammersmith electorate in support of the Conservative candidate, Mr Anthony Fell in the bye-election. Both parties regard this as their greatest trial of strength so far. Both of the candidates, the Conservative, Mr Fell, and the Labour candidate, Mr W. T. Williams, are putting their most persuasive arguments to packed meetings. Mr Fell is emphasising that the Conservatives have no intention of slackening, in the policy of full employment. Mr Williams is stressing what a rough time the workers had under private enterprise. A belief is growing, that if Labour gains a promising majority at South Hammersmith, the Government maS risk a snap general election.