THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18275, 16 December 1922, Page 9

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

''PROSPECTS OF PARTIES.

POLLING HELD TO-DAY. CLOSE CONTEST INDICATED. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, Dec. 14. Probably never had the political prophets a more open chance of spoiling their reputations than in connection with the present Federal election. The campaign, up to tho closing rallies, developed no outstanding features other than to emphasise that the struggle was primarily one of party interests, combined with a revolt by a section of the old Nationalist party against Mr. Hughes' alleged self-centred and long-continued domination. A bitter' personal, platform, and press duel between Mr. Hughes and Mr. A. B. Piddington, his opponent in North Sydney, involving a general re* washing of linen over the present of £25,000 to Mr. Hughes, and other resurrected bones of contention of a more or less personal nature, added zest to an otherwise somewhat flat campaign. With no Labour candidate in the field, Mr. Hughes and Mr. Piddington will decide a straightout. duel on Saturday. Mr. Piddington is standing as an Independent. He will, however, carry the bulk of the Labour as well as the anti-Hughesite vote, and is regarded as having a bare fighting chance against the Prime Minister.

Th© 'Liberals, under the leadership of 'Mr. W. A. Watt, comprising Nationalist revolters against Mr. Hughes' regime and opponents of the removal of the oapital to Canberra, are a disturbing factor, and will carry some weight, principally in Victoria and South Australia. The party is already safe so far as, its leader is concerned, Mr. Watt having been elected unopposed, but that he -will get a strong following is not very likely.

The Country party, representing another breakaway from the Nationalist centre, has gathered good support in all States, and will have to be reckoned with.

As on the eve of every election each party proclaims its prospects rosy. Tlfe Nationalists profess it a certainty that they will secure a majority, the Country party reckons on a great accession to its strength in the new House, the Liberals are strongly optimistic, and" Labour looks to the overthrow of its combined oppon-. ents. As a set-off to the illness of Mr. M. Charlton, the Labour leader, preventing his participation in the campaign, he has secured his return unopposed. The indications are that the Nationalists will lose some seats to the Country and Liberal parties, Mr. Hughes will probably not have a majority againt other sections, and Labour will fairly well hold its own, and possibly make gains. One indicator is that the' Country Party advised its supporters to give preference votes to National candidates, and the Nationalists are expected to return the compliment.