DULL CAMPAIGN IN N.S.W. ELECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 203, 25 May 1944, Page 5

DULL CAMPAIGN IN N.S.W. ELECTIONS

Reversal Thought Unlikely (Received May^ fc 7 P.mJ A majority for Labour at the New South Wales State elections on Saturday is widely regarded as certain. During a dull election campaign nothing has occurred to challenge seriously the strong position of the McKell Government. While Labour may have lost in popularity, any swing is not likely to unseat the 'Government. r , To control the Legislative Assembly, the Opposition would have to -win 13 teats from Labour and consolidate the support of nine Independents. The Opposition’s position has been weakened by the formation of the two organizations—the Democrats (incorporating the State branch of the United Australia Party) and the Liberal Democrats. The Government will go to the polls with the advantage of holding 06 of the ‘Jo seats, and with eight Cabinet .Ministers and five private members being returned unopposed. The only Minister opposed is the Minister of Education, Mr. Clive Evatt, whose majority in the 1941 election was 7500. Ninety electorates will be contested by 209 candidates, who represent six recognized political parties (including Lang Labour) and include also 31 Independents. In the retiring House the Democrats held 14 seats, and the Country Party 10, against’ Labour s 50. lhe remaining nine members, who were Independents, generally supported the Opposition on any division. At the Federal elections last August some 59 per cent, of the electors voted Labour. The support lost by Labour since that time may cost the party the seats which were won at the last state election by slender majorities, but no change of Government can be expected following an election campaign to which the public response appears to have been entirely apathetic.