THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11962, 13 December 1919, Page 5

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Sydney, Dec 12

Interest In the general election is marked by considerable apathy on the part of the general body of voters. The campaign closes quietly. The looming bigness *of after-war problems and the serious need of making a wise choice of representatives to deal with those problems has had an undoubted steadying effect, throwing many normally exciting side issues into the background. Then, too, the policies of the two main parties differ“little excepting so far as the methods of carrying them into effect are concerned. Both centre chiefly round clamant post-war industrial and financial readjustment. Sectarian spirit has to an extent been apparent In the campaign, and is expected to have some effect at the polls. The new system of preferential voting has dangers not only of spoiling effective votes owing to the voters’ failure to properly understand it, but also in creating surprises in the results. The farmers’ party, a development chiefly from the Nationalists’ ranks, is a factor to be counted with, and is certain to win a number of seats from each side, ana very possibly may secure an important controlling position in the new House. Its leaning, however, will bo more Nationalist than Labour. As far as the Senate elections are concerned, however, the result may go to Labour, but it cannot secure a majority in the House, sufficient of its membership not having to s«3k re-election to ,give the Nationalists preponderance. All parties face the battle with stereotyped declarations of confidence. Judging from surface indications, with allowance for the surprises the new voting system may produce, Nationalists ought "to secure a majority with party ranks considerably changed. Mr Hughes anticipates a hard fight at Bendigo, and two other Ministers, Messrs Webster and Glynn, are considered not too safe. Mr Ryan has a sure seat in West Sydney unless all precedents are upset. All parties fought somewhat shy of the referendum issue. It is almost generally admitted that some extension of the powers of the Commonwealth Government are necessary to deal with profiteering and constitutional difficulties, but State[interests are so interwoven therewith thiat the question is a burning one alreacy. Similar powers have been asked tor twice and been refused by the electors, though the necessity of the extended power has become more insistent in the face of post-war problems, and the outcome is problematical. It will be no great surprise if Mr Hughes fails to get a ukase to tamper with the constitution.

The closing of hotels on polling day is doubtless regarded as not an nuinixed blessing by publicans, whose supplies have sadly dwindled as the result of the employees’ strike.