AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22064, 15 June 1943, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS

SPARRING FOR ADVANTAGE SYDNEY, June 14 The next Australian Federal Parliamentary session opening a week from today is likely to be marked by sparring for election advantage. Political correspondents believe this will be the last session before the elections. These are due at an indefinite date, “some time before November,” but may be held within two or three months. A difficult Parliamentary session is in prospect. The Opposition is expected to pursue its criticism of the Government’s handling of industrial disputes. Several bills to come before Parliament will cause bitter controversy. The chief of these will be the Government’s unemployment and sickness benefit scheme. Opposition to this is based on two grounds —that it is non-contributory and unwarranted in wartime. Many political commentators see In Saturday’s Victorian State elections a significant pointer to the Federal elections. Labour in Victoria gained 43,000 votes against the Country Party’s 9000, while, the United Australia Party lost 67,000. The United Country and United Australia Parties form the joint Federal Opposition. With its evident gain in Victoria, the Federal Labour Party is quickening its preparations for the Commonwealth elections. The Prime Minister is considered to be assured of the whole-hearted co-operation of the Labour movement, industrial and politicaL