BIG MAJORITY EXPECTED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17609, 27 October 1931, Page 7

BIG MAJORITY EXPECTED

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FINAL ROUND OF BATTLE MORE “DOLE” REVELATIONS (British Official Wireless.) Rec. noon. RUGBY, Oct. 2(1. The election campaign ends tonight, when almost every large hall in constituencies in which contests are taking place has been engaged for meetings at which candidates will make their final appeal to tho electors. While tho leaders of both sides express confidence in the result, detached observers look for a large majority for the National Government. The Stock Exchange market in majorities to-day was standing at 195 to 200 in favor of the Government. The nation is bracing itself for a final effort, after a. hectic fortnight of electioneering. Newspaper appeals on the eve of the poll suggest that the greatest danger to the National Government is over-confidence. A certain number of election speeches were delivered on Sunday, but, generally, it was observed as a day of rest for over-taxed candidates. A last authoritative survey of the constituencies suggests that the Conservatives will win 340 seats; Liberals supporting tho Government, 70; Socialists, 195; and others, 10; giving the Government a. majority of 205.. All Socialist prophets anticipate some loss of seats. Some admit that the Nationalists’ majority will be ninety. MR, HENDERSON DOUBTFUL It is noteworthy that an astute party organiser liko Mr. Henderson is hedging as regards tho result. Inter viewed yesterday, before his illness, he said: —“ln the past, if was possible to foretell the result of an election with fair accuracy if the situation in each constituency was examined, but here shrugged bis shoulders, and added: “Wo have put our case before the people, but as regards the. result, there are many unknown factors.”

Tho Prime Minister rested yesterday in preparation for to-day’s whirlwind tour of his scattered constituency.

Mr. Baldwin returned to London yesterday, following a tour of northern constituencies, which, it is stated, lias strengthened his conviction that the Government will secure a handsome majority. Sir Herbert Samuel remained in his constituency, in which the result of tho polling is in some doubt.

Mr. Henderson is still confined to his room.

A disclosure by Mr. Walter Runciman that a substantial part of the Post Office Savings Bank fund in April and early in August was lent to bolster up the Depleted dole fund, and Mr Henderson’s statement that this need not cause anxiety in tho minds of depositors, led both Mr Snowden and Mr MacDonald to reveal that the savings bad been in peril, but the danger was now averted, thanks to the steps taken by the National Government.

“I am sure there is going to be an overwhelming majority for the National Government,” said Mr. Snowden, in a final survey. “All rny information is that there is going to he a big Labor slump.” PREMIER’S FINAL APPEAL

In :i broadcast address, the Prime Minister claimed that trust in the National Government, both at home and abroad, had been magnificently maintained, as the behavior of the pound showed. The foundation of sound national finance was a favorable trade balance, and in the changed conditions of to-day it was advisable to examine wliother the pre-war policy should bo modified or improved on. The King arrived in London to-day from Sandringham by train, and drove to Buckingham Palace, wliero he will hear the election results tomorrow night, and on the following days. The state of the parties in the House of Commons following the general elections of 1923, 192!, and 1929 was as £ .11 , .

SNOWDEN ENJOYS ENMITY LONDON, Sept. 16. One of tho remarkable features of the present economic crisis in Britain is toe bitter hostility of Labor towards the lit. Hon. Philip Snowden. The “iron” in the Chancellor, which they applauded at The Hague, is now turned against themselves, and they seize every opportunity to show their rest litment. Mr. Snowden has been booed by former admirers, and when the lit. Hon. Winston Churchill accused Labor of bringing the nation to the point of beggary, Laborites cried out unitedly. “Snowden!” The Chancellor bears these demonstrations with a continual smile. He has never seemed so happy as now, and his old grimness is fast disappearing! It is said that lie was glad ho had got rid of liia former colleagues, who never understood him, and that lie much prefers them as political’ enemies.

follows : — 1933 1924 1929 Conservative* ... 258 415 260 Labor 191 151 287 Liberal ... 156 44 58 Independent .. 10 5 9 615 615 615