THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17736, 9 December 1919, Page 5

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

COMPLEXITY OF ISSUES.

Received December 8, 7.25 p.m. SYDNEY, December 8.

It would be difficult to elaborate the issues really to be decided by the electors at next Saturday's poll. Both parties claim as their main plank anti-profiteering and financial readjustment. Since the Labour policy was cabled on November sth the atmosphere has become clouded by many side issues of Hughesism and Ryanism. Hon. Watt, Federal Treasurer, as spokesman for the Nationalists, defined the position as follows: "Whether we smash up ' the States and have unification, whether we authorise the experiment of universal socialism; whether the country is to be ruled by law or by direct action; whether we are to have a career of financial debauchery and insolvency; whether we are to overthrow compulsory training, and" declare Australia defenceless and open to any predatory nation; whether Bolshevism shall gtalk Australia; and whether we shall weaken and destroy our Empire partnership." Labourites scornfully repudiate Mr. Watt's assumption that their success at the polls would lead to the fulfilment of his comprehensive Jeremiad.