BITTER ELECTION EXPECTED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 28 June 1943, Page 5

BITTER ELECTION EXPECTED

FEDERAL PARLIAMENT FORECAST IMPOSSIBLE Sydney, June 27. “Till public emotions clarify it would be a bold prophet who would forecast the outcome of the election. All are agreed that it is likely to be as close, as bitter, and as fluctuating in week-to-Aveek fortune at any in Australia’s history.” This comment on the forthcoming Federal polling, expected to be held on a late August date, is made by the “Sydney Sun’s” political correspondent to-day. “The outcome of the Royal Commission of Inquiry centring around statements by the suspended Minister of Labour, Mr Ward, that he had been ‘most reliably informed’ that a vital document was missing from the War Cabinet files,- may prove an important election factor.” But whatever the Commission’s finding, the Brisbane Line issue and the wider question of Australian defence will dominate the elections. One correspondent writes: “The Brisbane Line is not long eough to take all the dirty washing that will be hung on it in the ! next few weeks.” This certain feature of the electioneering is deplored by all Australian newspapers. “At its best the squabble is academic. At its worst it is dishonest and mischievous,” says the “Sydney Telegraph.” But by constant repetition the “nebulous, intangible Brisbane Line” has become a catchcry all over Australia. MANY BROADER ISSUES But above the Brisbane Line and the personal question of Ministerial integrity, stand many broader issues. Labour’s defence record and its postwar social security plans will be perhaps the most solid planks in the Gov evnment’s platform, which will rest securely on an Australian appreciation of sincerity and honesty of.purpose of the Prime Minister, Mr Curtin. His personal prestige is Labour’s greatest election asset. The Opposition, however, will suffer no lack of election ammunition. Strikes and absenteeism, alleged Government subservience to trade unions increasingly under the influence of Commun-v ists, the rejection of a national government, inflationary finance, failure to provide one army, bureaucratic control, alleged food bungling—all these will contribute to their indictment of the Curtin Government. Among the great imponderable factors which are likely to decide the outcome at the polls, will be the soldiers’ vote, the effect of the war industrial population drift, and the “coupon vote” —the reaction of the public to the wartime restrictions in food, clothing and amusement. Parliament is expected to dissolve at the end of the week. The Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Evatt, has been recalled from London to support the Government, and is expected back here within three weeks. By that time the Government will be in the throes of perhaps the bitterest and most interesting and important election campaign in its history.—P.A. Special Australian Correspondent.