The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1917. POLITICS IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3039, 28 March 1917, Page 4

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1917. POLITICS IN AUSTRALIA

Thb domination of tho Political Labour League in Australian politics would seem to have been badly shaken, by tho internal divisions which' arose out of the Conscription Referendum. Not very long ago a by-election 5n one of the P.L.L. strongholds in New South Wales, in which the official Labour majority was enormously reduced, was regarded by many as an indication of a growing disinclination on the part of Labour to submit to tho extreme dictatorship sought to be imposed by the littlo inner circle which has in the past exercised euch despotic control. Now we have the result of the general elections in New South Wales, and though there may bo changes ere the final totals are made up, it is clear that the Offioial Labour Party has been well beaten. The National Government, supported mainly by Liberal members, backed by Independent Labour mombors, has secured a comfortable working majority of spmething like ten votes in a House of 90 members. This victory is especially important at the presont time on account of the light it may be dcemocl to throw on the political situation generally in Australia. It is a matter o! concern outside the Oonimonwoaltl; as well as within its borders how the electors will cast their votes at tho coming Federal elections— whether the Liberal-Independent Coalition Government, under Mk. Hughes, will win tho' support of the country or whether the Official Labour Party, which has disowned Mr. Huqhes and his Labour supporters, will emerge triumphant from the ordeal they have challenged. While it cannot be said that the Coalition Government has distinguished itself in any particular i ,g&£_ during its ekoxfc tenures of

office, its attitude towards the prosecution of the war has been declared with a proper emphasis. It is pledged to do all that is possible to ensure that Australia shall assist in the struggle to the utmost of its ability; and to fight on to the bitter end., For a long time past recruiting in Australia has been f ar_ below the total necessary to maintain the supply of reinforcements requisite to maintain the oxisting forces in the- field at their full fighting strength. The position has not improved in spite- of the increased offorts made by pub-lic-spirited citizens and organisations and the constant appeals of the Government. The shortage already is a heavy one, and the feeling appears to exist that, however poorly the efforts of the Coalition Government have resulted in this respect, the return of tho Official Labour Party to office would be liable to lead to an even worse situation. This may perhaps be an incorrect view, but the attitude of a section of the Official Labour Party in connection with the Referendum and since does not encourage the belief that it is likely to display any great enthusiasm in stimulating recruiting and rendering greater assistance than Australia is now giving in the prosecution of the war. It will bo noted that Mk. Hughes regards the result of the New South Wales elections as another blow to the Official Labour Party. Me. Hughes, of course, has his eye on the Federal contests, end probably he is justified in assuming that since New South Wales, which is a stronghold of the Official Labour Party, has turned that party down, the wholo Commonwealth will do the same This is by no means certain. The view eeems to be widely held that while the Federal Coalition Government is likely to secure a majority in the House of Representatives, the members of which are elected by comparatively small constituencies, the Official Labour Party may still secure a majority in the Senate. It will bo remembered that in the Senate elections each of the States constituting the Commonwealth returns the same number*of members, and each State votes as a single electorate. The work of tho Official Labour organisation in the "recent past has proved more effective in these- huge electorates than that of rival political forces, and should this prove the case on the present occasion then oven though the Coalition Government secures a majority in. the Houso of Representatives it may not be able to carry on satisfactorily. ■' The outlook indeed is not a. pleasant one for Australia or the Empire. Unless there is a straight-out victory in both Houses of the Legislature for one side or the other tho political turmoil which has already diverted so i much of Australia's .attention from war matterß.may be expected to continue indefinitely to tho prejudice of issues of immensely greater importance than those involved in tho sordid struggle of party politics,