THE NEW SOUTH WALES ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1927, 9 December 1913, Page 6

THE NEW SOUTH WALES ELECTIONS.

The latest, results of the polling in New South Wales show that the Liberals have improved their position, but it is evident that there- is not much prospect of the establishment of a stable Administration. Fourteen second ballots will be necessary, and the final result is practically certain to show rt very narrow margin between the .two main parties. It is possible even that the small handful of Independents might dominate the situation. If the Liberals manage to secure, only _ a bare majority they would certainly bo in si better position than their friends in the Federal Parliament, for they would not have to contend with a bitterly liastile majority in the Upper House such as exists in the Federal Senate, ■ They might not bo able to do much in the way of legislation, but at tho present time sound and capable ad- ; ministration is of more importance to the country than actual law-! making. The State's finance requires to be placed on a move satisfactory j footing, and there is urgent need for | conducting the work of the various : Departments on more businesslikelines. If the Liberals have any majority at all it will be their plain duty to the country to take office and do their best to sec that tile State is governed as well as circumstances will permit; but it is not their duty to resort to any mean or degrading expedients in order to keep themselves in power. Tho Lab- j our Government'kas set a very bad' example in this matter, and it is to :be hoped that if the Liberals are called upon to form a Cabinet they will set before them a higher political ideal than "office at any price." According to present indications, it is quite possible that neither party may be strong enough to carry on the business of the State, and that it may be found necessary to make another appeal to the electors at an early date. On. the other hand, the chance of a deadlock foreshadowed by the present position may have a material effect, on tho second ballots by inducing many people who arc not partisans to dispose of their votes in such a manner as to give one of the parties a working majority in order to put ?.n end to the existing state of political tfnrest.