STATE ELECTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22047, 1 March 1935, Page 9

STATE ELECTIONS

VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT POLLING DAY TO-MORROV'/ VERY QUIET CAMPAIGN ' PUBLIC SERVICE DISPUTE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright MELBOURNE, Feb. 28 The Victorian State elections will be held on Saturday after a partiou--larly quiet: campaign. There has been no outstanding indication that the National Ministry is likely to lbe refused another term of office.

Probably the most interesting development of the campaign has been the open declaration of war upon the Ministerial candidates by the Public Service Association, because the Premier, Sir Stanley Argvle, would not agree to promise salary restorations in full. Mr. T. Tunnecliffe, the Labour leadpr, has given the required promise, and the Public Service vote may have an important effect in the few seats wh<>re the result may be close.

The prospects for the Victorian general elections are believed to indicate a return of the United Australian Party and Country Party Government, led by Sir Stanley Argyle. There may probably be some Labour gaius. The Labour Party, which is the direct Opposition, seems to have lost its cokesi veness and definiteness of programme. The Government's platform will deal with rural relief and housing schemes.

The present state of parties is: United Australia Party, 29; Country Party,'l7; Labour, 16; Independents, 3. For the 65 seats at the election 148 nominations have been received. Twelve members of the Legislative Assembly have been returned unopposed. The United Australia Party is contesting 11 Labour and two Country Party seats. The Labour Party is contesting 19 United Australia Party and two Country Party seats. The Country Party is contesting seven United A"istralia Party and nine Labour seats. In 34 out of the 53 contested electorates, there are two candidates. There will be 15 triangular contests and ifor three seats there are four candidates. Two of these are held by Ministers,,