The Dominion. TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1913. THE FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1730, 22 April 1913, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1913. THE FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

The Australian Federal election campaign, which_ is now in full swing, together with the referendum controversy, is of great interest to people on this side of the Tasmai Sea, both on its own account, and because of the lessons it has for New Zealanders. The election takes the form of a straight-out contest between th'o supporters of the Government, with Mk. Fisher at its head, and the Opposition, led by Mb. Cook. The Government, of course, represents the Labour-Socialist section of the community, while the Opposition, .or Liberal party, claims the support of all whio are opposed to.the clas3 war and the administration of the country in tho interests of Labour-Socialism. In New Zealand we appear to be approaching a similar position. The so-called "Liberal" party here have not only lost public confidence, but have neither policy to fight for nor leaders to inspire them to fresh effort. A. large moderate section of the party is gradually joining hands with the Reformers, while the Radical extremists will eventually throw in their lot with the growing force of Labour-Socialists, the result being that at the next general election in this country the people will probably be called upon to chooso between the progressive policy of the party of Reform aiid the domination of the country by the Labour-Socialist caucus. These facts make the present political situation in Australia of exceptional interest in New Zealand at the present time.

Unfortunately for the Federal Opposition in Australia, it is handicapped by a lack of great leadership. The hour has come, but it has not brought exactly the _ man that is wanted. The Opposition's policy, too,' while on the whole sale and sound, is just wan Ling in that element of political inspiration which by adding enthusiasm to conviction would sweep forward to almost certain victory. However, the great need of the country iB sanity in politics and industrial rest. Such a. policy would lead to the steady development of the natural resources of the country, the promotion of trade and commerce, ami (lie permanent prosperity of all sections of tho community. Under Hie Federal Labour Government, Australia- lias reached a stale of affairs almost verging on civil war. This applies especially to New South Wales, where the Labour-Social isls alto oon-l-rol the administration of tlv: State, the result being that an unexampled cunditiun of turmoil has prevailed.

The party leaders aro quite unable to check the excesses of their followers, and unless some restraining iullucncc is scon brought to bear nothing, can save tho State from a condition amounting practically to industrial anarchy. In addition 1.0 this, the financial position appears to bo giving causc lor concern. The Leader of the Opposition (Mil. Cook), in opening the election camreferred to this mutter in the following words: —

Tile, (lireo great spendthrift.-; to-day nro the three Labour (ioveniments, ami the Federal Government is the worst of all. Wo have booming trad'' mid (lowing revenues, but wo arc spending it nil fur the ordinary purpo.-es ui' (.lovi-niiiienl, and wo shall not; live within <.ur income during tlio present financial year. About Al per head, or ,£5 per family, mom than three years ago, is being collected f from Customs antics aloup. wbilo the ordinary "\- pomatum of Ihe Federal Government has nicicased HID per cent. There have been added to (lie Federal Government pay roll over 3C,M00 additional persons. These "high, jinks" are still proceeding, and as sure as (licy proceed so sure mutt they also end.

"Men laugh and riot till the feast is o'er; Then comes the reckoning, and they laugh no more."

The great need of the moment seems to be some steadying'inlluciice which would put an end to tho existing political and social unrest. If ever there was a time to put the brake on, that time is now. Yet, throwing all caution to the winds, tho Fisher Government is asking the people of Australia practically to throw away the brake altogether, by amending the Constitution in order to make- it easier for the Government to overcome all opposition to their Socialistic experiments. It is difficult to believe that the referendum proposals will be carried. They arc the same to all intents and purposes as those which were rejected a few years ago by a very substantial majority. They are merely split up and staled in a different form. Under the pretence of dealing with predatory commercial trusts, tho proposed alterations of the Constitution would largely destroy the powers of self-government which bolong to the present States, and enormously extend tho air.eady over-pow-erful influence of the central authority, which is at present in reality the Labour Caucu;-'. Mr.. Cook has pointed out. that in Professor .Dicey's opinion the Federal Government already possesses power to "legislate on many topics' which lie beyond the competence of the Congress of the United States,'' and Mr. .James Bp.yce, another eminent authority, has declared that "the range of powers of the National or Commonwealth Parliament is very wide, wider than that of Congress, or of the Swiss National Assembly, or even of the Dominion of Canada." Yet, in order to gain a party advantage, the_ Fisher Government does not hesitate to ask the people of Australia to further extend these farreaching powprs at the expense of the autonomy of the States. The coming Federal election will bo one of the most important in the political history of Australia. Tho Lib: erals arc not possessed of anything like tho organisation built up by. Labour, and this will give tho Government a decided advantage. Moreover, the recent retirement of Mr. Deakin is also thought to be prejudicial to the chances of tlio Opposition. Still, the struggle will be a keen, and, unfortunately, a bitter one, and nowhere outside of tho Commonwealth itself will the result be awaited with greater interest than in New Zealand. -