The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1913. THE VERDICT OP THE BALLOTBOX.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1922, 3 December 1913, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1913. THE VERDICT OP THE BALLOTBOX.

On Saturday next one of the most momentous elections in the political history of the Australian Commonwealth will take place. On that day the electors of New South Wales will decide by means of the ballot-box whether the affairs of the country shall continue to be administered by a, Labour Government or ! bo handed over to a Liberal Ministry. Recent'events in New South Wales must have been a sore disappointment to those credulous people who seemed to think that when Labour got control of the affairs of the State human nature would suddenly undergo a marvellous change, and a new era of peace, happiness, and prosperity for all would be inaugurated. Industrial strife would, of course, be banished from the land, and the people would be so contented with their lot that the other political party could never hope to get back to power again. Needless to say these attractive expectations have _ not been fulfilled; these Utopian ideals nave not been realised. Instead of a noble attempt to purify the political life of the State, the Labour Ministry have been engaged in a sordid struggle 'to keep in office almost at any price, and their most devoted adherents arc forced to admit that there has been a decided deterioration in the general tone of the proceedings of Parliament. After the last election the Labour Party had a very narrow majority, and Ministers had for a considerable period of time to depend on the casting vote of the Speaker. They were driven to desperate expedients in order to keep in power, and if they had shown a little more consideration for their own dignity and their duty to the people they would have- gone to the country long ago. But their day of judgment is now at hand, and on Saturday the electors will pronounce the verdict.

The election campaign which is now drawing to a close has been fought out with the greatest, keenness on both sides, nnd both parties profess to bo confident of success. There can bo little doubt that many people who voted for Labour on the last occasion have been disillusioned by the failure of the Government to live up (o its ideals. Instead of bringing in a new era of industrial peace, the strike weapon has probably never been so freely used in the history of the Stale, and recent cablegram:; go to show that the country is oil the verge of anodic/L'real upheaval. The finance of the Labour Government is being very severely criticised, nnd in reply to the assertion that die Liberals represent the rich man and look after his interests, Mr. Wade's party declares that th« Liberals have done more for the workers Mian Mn. Holjiax and his friends have even attempted. It is pointed out in this connection that die Liberals abolished die fees hi public schools: Hicy passed die Minimum Wage Ad.,they. Dttsscd improved factory kgis-

latiun; legislation restricting night wjrk for women; Industrial Disputes Act. the Friendly .Societies •Subvention Act, Workmen's Compensation Act, the Invalid Tension Act, and the Saturday half-holiday. They also passed, amongst other tilings, the Infants' Protection Act, Neglected Children and Juvenile Offenders Act, the Police Offences Act, Opium Suppression Act and the Girls' Protection Act. These measures are, broadly speaking, more in the interests of the towns than of_ the country population; but the farmers are now keep- | ing their claims in the forefront, (and both parties are making a [special effort to capture the country vote. The general opinion seems to ibe that the Liberals will be more | successful among the settlers than their opponents, and, taking tho whole State into consideration, the Liberals are confident that the swing back in their favour will be even more pronounced than at the recent Federal elections. The secretary 'of the Political Labour League, on ■tho other hand, contends that the set-back which the Labour Party received at the Federal elections was mainly due to a spirit .of apathy, and that on that occasion Labour lost many thousands of votes in tho country districts, owing to bad weather. The sot-back has shown the danger of taking things for granted, and the party is now said to bo batter organised and more enthusiastic. It _ .should also be remembered that in the previous Parliament Labour held quite a number of farming districts, and it is by no means certain that they will now be beaten out of that field.

Latest information shows that the sectarian element will play an important part in the election. It is generally believed that on past occasions the Labour party has been supported at the polls by'the Roman Catholic vote, but recent events indicate the possibility of a change, The Catholic Federation has issued a number of questions to candidates regarding the attitude of the Govermncnt to the Roman Catholic schools, hospitals, and orphanages. This seems to have put the •Premier (Mr. HolMAx) in an awkward position, and lie wrote a "private and confidential" circular to Labour candidates, suggesting that they should point out that the Labour Conference has repeatedly passed resolutions forbidding the giving of pledges to any body other than the Labour Party. He also suggested that "Without going into details on the questions. candidates might then assert that the Roman Catholic body may rely upon getting absolute justice at the hands of the Labour Party." The circular has met with very severe criticism, and Labour candidates [arc not agreed as to what course I they should take. Some have declined to answer the questions, while others have replied to them,' some in one way and some in another. Father O'Keij.lw one of the loaders of the Catholic Federation, recently made a strong attack on the Premier in his own constituency, and openly declared that he intended to vote for the Liberal candidate. Some people who ought to he in a. position' to know pro of opinion that Mis. HobisiAN will be defeated, but it is very easy to be misled in regard to the effect of the sectarian vote. It is generally a two-edged sword which cuis both. ways, and if Mr,. Hoi.max loses .i. number of Roman Caihoiic votes he may by that very fact gain a corresponding number other quarters. In any case this intrusion of th-j sectarian issue is sure to be a disturbing factor, and with the two parties so cvenlv divided, .is is the case in New South Wales, all calculations may be upsnt. Another disturbintr 'factor is the possibility of the New Zen land strike- extending to New South Wales. Such an occurrence would undoubtedly injure the cause of Labour from the political point of view, and strong influences arc at work to prevent an industrial upheaval at the present tiin,e; but it is impossible to say whether the effort to keep the Australian workers out of the fray will succeed of not. The Syndicalist agitators on both sides of the Tasma'n Sea are doing their utmost to extend the trouble, and latest information shows that the position is decidedly critical. It is just possible that the fact that a strike in New South Wales cannot help the New Zealand strikers may have a restraining influence, and save Mb. Houux and his supporters from a very unpleasant predicament at the present critical juncture.