THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18565, 24 November 1923, Page 10

THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.

A preliminary enumeration of the candidates nominated by the principal parties in the British elections indicates a substantial increase over the number that went to the poll last November. There are 615 seats in the House of Commons, but as nominations have not closed, there is no indication as to the number of unopposed returns, while the final list will probably contain additional nominations. A year ago, the Conservative Party, * under Mr. Bonar Law's leadership", presented 491 candidates, of whom 347 were returned. The party's strength in the field has now been increased by 59 to 550 candidates. The Labour Party Las so far presented 412 candidates, one- more than a year ago. Liberal nominations number 460, which is ten fewer than the combined strength of National and Independent Liberals at last election. Efforts were then made to prevent the split in the party extending to the hustings, but in many cases , supporters of both Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Asquith appeared at the Same poll. Hence, in spite of the reduction in the party's nominations, it is evident that it is contesting a larger number of seats. Altogether, 1422 candidates have been presented by the three leading parties, a number slightly higher than the total list of candidates, 1419, last November. The figures are another indication of the intensity of the contest.