NEWS OF THE WEEK.
MIE election rumbles on under a cross-fire of oratory.
Each of the three parties has satisfactorily proved that an analysis of the nominations demonstrates that its success is assured. Indeed, the impression created by the election statisticians is that the actual polls arc an unnecessary afterthought, which will serve only to confirm the accuracy of their calculations. A few basic figures do, however, undoubtedly help to bring the whole election into focus. The electors number 18,387,000, of whom 10,497,000 arc men, and 7,890,000 women. This means an increase of some 100,000 since the last election. Fifty members have been returned unopposed, of whom 35 arc Unionist, 11 Liberals, 3 Labour, and 1 Independent. This leaves 565 seats to be contested. In 517 of these the contest is between the three great parties ; in 116 a Unionist will face a Liberal ; in 100 a Unionist a Labourite ; and in 52 a Liberal a Labourite ; in 249 constituencies there will be three-cornered fights ; in the other .18 constituencies the issue will be still further complicated by an Independent, or Co-operative, or Communist, or miscellaneous candidate.
