BITTER AND CLOSE

Southland Times, Issue 25691, 28 June 1943, Page 5

BITTER AND CLOSE

COMING POLL IN AUSTRALIA (Special Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 10 p.m.) SYDNEY,'’June 27. “Until public emotions clarify he would be a bold prophet who would forecast the outcome of the election. All are agreed that it is likely to be as close, as bitter and as fluctuating in its week to week fortune as any in Australia’s history.” This comment on the forthcoming Federal polling, which is expected to be held on a late August date, is made by The Sydney Sun’s political correspondent today. The outcome of the Royal Commission of Inquiry centring around statements by the suspended Minister of Labour, Mr E. J. Ward, that he had been “most reliably informed” that a vital document was missing from the War Cabinet files may prove an important election factor. But whatever the commission’s finding the Brisbane Line issue and the wider question of Australian defence will dominate the elections. One correspondent writes: “The Brisbane Line is not long enough to take all the dirty washing that will be hung on it in the next few weeks.” This certain feature of electioneering is deplored by all Australian newspapers.

“At best the squabble is academic, at worst it is dishonest and mischievous,” says The Sydney Telegraph. But by constant repetition the “nebulous and intangible Brisbane Line” has become a catch cry all ovei- Aus-

tralia. This is a palpable electioneering issue and many expect Labour to capitalize on it. It is well explained in the following vote snaring chorus, sung to the appropriate tune' of the Siegfried Line:—

We’re going to hang Bob Menzies on the Brisbane Line with Fadden and Percy Spender too; Hanging is really far too good for them after what they planned to do; They wanted to give North Queensland to the Jap and sell you to our foes; So help us to hang them on the Brisbane Line for they’re so and soes.

But above the Brisbane Line and the personal question of ministerial integrity stand many broader issues. Labour’s defence record and its post-war social security plans will perhaps be the most solid planks in the Government’s platform, which will rest securely on Australian appreciation of the sincerity and honesty of purpose of the Prime Minister, Mr J. Curtin. His personal prestige is Labour’s greatest election asset. The Opposition, however, will suffer no lack of election ammunition. Strikes and absenteeism; alleged Government subservience to the trade unions, increasingly under the influence of the Communists; the rejection of a National Government; inflationary finance; failure to provide one army; bureaucratic control; alleged food bunglingall these will contribute to their indictment of the Curtin Government. Among the great imponderable factors, which are likely to decide the outcome at the polls, will be the soldiers’ vote, the effect of the war on the drift of the industrial population, and the “coupon vote”—the reaction of the public to .war-time restrictions in food, clothing and amusement. Parliament is expected to dissolve at the end of the week. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Dr H. V. Evatt, has been recalled from London to support the Government and is expected back here within three weeks. By that time the Commonwealth will be in the throes of perhaps the bitterest,, most interesting and important election campaign in its history.