BRITISH ELECTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25214, 29 May 1945, Page 6

BRITISH ELECTION

TWO MAIN QUESTIONS NATIONALISATION ISSUE PERSONAL LOYALTIES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Special Correspondent) (Reed. 10.45 p.m.) LONDON. May -2S The opening shots tired in the election campaign indicate that it is likely to be a bitter fight. There is now and will continue to be plenty of smoke hanging over the battle in the form of mutual reCrimination, but the real shot and shell will be exchanged on two issues, since it seems likely that there will be two distinct types of voters. There will be those with political knowledge and background who will regard the election as a straigbt-out light between capitalism and socialism. There will be others who take only a superficial interest in politics and for them the question will he whether to vote for or against Mr Churchill. The "Floating Vote"

People in the first category may roughly be divided into the upper and middle classes, together with many "blackcoated 1 ' workers with business interests, as opposed to the working classes, industrial workers and a proportion of men and women in the forces. Those in the second category are mainly people in practically every class who belong to no party, but whose "floating vote" is often a decisive factor in elections. There is quite a large number of people in the country who care for none of the parties, and for them the chief question will he "Churchill or Attlee?

Future Economic Basis There have already been some statements on the question whether Britain will continue to be run on the economic 'lines that existed until 19:59, what might be termed .orthodox capitalism, or whether it is going to change to a socialistic system which will include the nationalisation of several of its main industries and the Bank of Kngland. _ Typical of the views of the Conservnti ves is that expressed by Colonel -J. J. Llewellin, Minister of Food, who said that, with nationalisation nobody will know when his business, great or small, will be taken over. "This means there will be hesitation instead of drive, inaction where there should be action, and as a result we shall ail be doomed to years of scarcity." Mr Attlee's Argument

Mr Attlee has described the issue as: "Shall the resources of the nation be organised for the benefit of the whole

of the people or shall they be primarily a source of wealth for the few." He says the Conservatives propose to return to what they call - private enterprise. and will rely wherever it is possible on incentive to private profit instead of public service as the basis of national life. He says: "They exhibit in relationship to every problem a great solicitude for the rights of property and for vested interests'" It is also being said that the electors must decide whether they want the full restoration of privately-owned competitive trade and industry, or public planning, the organisation of the country's resources and public control of key industries and services. Roth sides—for Conservatives and Labour will he the main opponents—declare that the country will he ruined if the other is elected to power. Mr Churchill's Prestige

Generally speaking, it is doubtful whether the country on the whole is really prepared yet for a general election, but more interest will develop as the campaign proceeds. The smoke which accompanied the opening exchanges hovered quite naturally round .Mr Churchill. With his immense prestige and personal popularity, there is no doubt of his value to the Conservatives, and therefore he is the Socialists' first target. Preferring an autumn election v to a midsummer one, they are proclaiming this to be a "Tory-ordained" election, and say that as a result of Mr Churchill's action 1,000.000 or more voters will be disfranchised.

Many people have not been able to register in time, others have moved long distances from the divisions in which they have been given votes. Ft is calculated that at least 10 per.cent of the eligible men and women in the forces • have not been registered and that altogether 2-50.000 will not be able to vote. It can be expected that this disfranchisement will be used for all it is worth both against Mr Churchill and the Conservative Party. Mr Churchill's Advisers

It is being pointed out that thousands, in a'ddition to those who are not on the register, will not vote, since they will be on holiday, and here again Mr Churchill will be blamed, and also Lord Beaverbrook and Mr Brendan Bracken, who are said to he his chief political advisers. ' Whether this will have any effect on Sir Churchill's popularity remains to be seen. Tt may be countered if, as he intimated, he is away at the time of the election meeting Marshal Stalin and President Truman. In that case there is'expected to be a cry to vote for the absent leader, the victorious war leader who at this moment is helping to decide all-important problems. One of the interesting aspects of the election will be the progress of the Liberal Party, which has been handicapped in its drive for party funds by the early election and has therefore been unable to ,put forward as many candidate* as it at one time hoped, ft has already been pointing the finger of scorn at the pre-war records of both Conservatives and Labour, and it has •undoubtedly gained a big asset in Sir William Beveridge. If it, can win 10 to 50 stats it will play an important role in the new Parliament. Its candidates are expected to number about 325. compared with about 600 by each of the two major parties.