FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17338, 9 December 1919, Page 9

FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

COMPLEXITY OF ISSUES. CLASHING PERSONALITIES. MR. HUGHES AND MR. RYAN. By Telegraph— Association—Copyright. (Received 12.30 a.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. Deo. S. It -would be difficult to elaborate the issues really to be decided by the electors at next Saturday's poll. Both parties, claim as their main plank anti-profiteer-ing legislation and financial readjustment. Since the Labour policy was announced on November 5 the atmosphere has become clouded by many side issues arising from the clashing personalities of Mr. W. M. Hughes and Mr. T. J. Ryan. Mr. W. A. Watt, the Federal Treasurer, as spokesman for the Nationalists, defines the position as follows :— "Whether we smash up the States and have unification; whether we authorise the experiment of universal socialism; whether the country is to be ruled by laws or by direct action; whether we are to have a career of financial debauchery and insolvency; whether we are to overthrow compulsory military training and declare Australia defenceless and open to any predatory nation; whether Bolshevism shall stalk Australia; and whether we shall weaken and destroy our Empire partnership." The Labour Party scornfully repudiates Mr. Watt's assumption that its success at the polls would lead to the fulfilment of his comprehensive jeremiad.