FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1957, 13 December 1906, Page 2

FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

PRESS ASSOCIATION -■ COPYRIGHT Received 1.28 a.m., Dec 13. Sydney, Dec 12. Polling proceeded very quietly in several States, but the returns to-night are so incomplete as to afford no possibility of defining tho strength of parties in New South Wales. The return of Sir W. Lyne, and Messrs Reid, Hughes, and Watson is beyond doubt. There was heavy voting in the majority of divisions. For tho Senate three retiring Senators, Gould, Walker, and Millen have a substantial lead over the Labor and Socialist bunches. Mr Chapman, PostmasterGeneral, has a good load" over his opponent, and is almost certain to be returned in Victoria. The excitement at Ballarat was unprecedented, but Mr Deakin has a solid lead over Scullin. The Senate vote in South Australia places the Socialist bunch ahead. Mr Playford is about 5000 behind. As the returns, however, are comparatively few the position is subject to considerable change.

Under tbe Constitution Act all the members oi the House of Representatives werj elected yesterday, and half tho number of members of tbe Senate eeleoted —that is, three representatives from each State of the Commonwealth. Interviewed las; week by a representative of the Pres=, tbs Premier of Tasmania, the Hon. J. W. Evens, who naturally takes the keenest interest in the contest, stated the position of political parties in Australia, aud gave a foreoast of the result of the eleoiions. “I am of opinioD,” said Mr Evaus, "that the fight at tie comiog Federal elections will be of more than usual ininrest, for the reasen that there is a contest being wagfd on behalf oi the anti-Sooialists as Bgainst what may be termed the true or extreme Socialistic party. A good deal is being made by tbe anti-Socia'istio as Bgain3t ths Labor or Seoialistio Party. What I mean is that they are trying to make as muoh out of the BooialiEtio element as far as the Labor Party is concerned as they possibly can, with the view of trying to stir np a strong feeling against the extreme views of the Labor Party. In the Labor Fatty there are some whose Sooieliatio tendencies do not go so far as others. " What makes it rather difficult,” continued Mr Evans, "to forecast with anything like confidence the results of the elections is the fact that there is bb it were a triangular fight going on. There are the Deakinites, who are in favor of almost prohibition protection. They are not satisfied with the protection tariff they have at tbs preeent time, but they are working in the interests of the various larga manufacturers —more especially in Victoria. Therefore, as I have pointed out. they are practically going in for prohibition protection which, in my opinion, means to force the consumer to pay a higher pries for his goods. It will also necessarily cause a reduction in our customs revenue, and that will mean the imposition of heavier diroot taxation to make up the loss sustained through the Customs in the revenue returnable to the various States. "Uader these circumstances it is very difficult to anticipate with any certainty what the results of tbe polling will be. Mr Reid, who is leading the anti-Sccialist party, and who is on this ocoasion sinking tbe fiscal policy, is of opinion that he is going to win various seats now held by the Socialistic party. " My own belief is that while tha antiSocialistic party may gain a few seats the Labor party will oertainly be strengthened at ike ooming elections, simply for tbe reaeon that they are better organised than their opponents. They have given much thought and attention to the organisation of their faroes, while the supporters of the other side—more especially the women—will not take the trouble to go to the poll to record their votes,

Then, again, the elections are being held at a time of the year when the farmers cannot or will net spare the lime to go any distance to vote. The farmers are busily engaged with their farming operations. Thai is one reason why they are asking for an amendment of the Constitution Act, eo that the elections may in future be held in Maroh. " As far as Tasmania is concerned, I am of opinion that the position of parties will not be muoh altered. Uoder the present conditions’ we are practically disfranchised, as half our representatives support one parly and half the other. 11 My strong opinion is that if the Reidites or anti-Sceialistio party do not win this time the Labor party will come into power, as I am informed personally

by Mr Reid that this is the last fight he intends makiog I am also strongly of opinion that the Daakioite party will be reduoed in numbers, and consequently most band the power over to Borne other party. I may here state that Mr Beid is leader of the anti Socialistic party, Mr Watson is the bead of the Sooialistio or Labor party, and Mr Deakin is, of eourse, the leader of the Deakiniiee.’’ “ You are of opinion, tbeD," asked our representative, “ that there is a probability of the Labor party earning into power ?” “ Yes,” replied Mr Evans, “ andl think, too, that in tho interests of the Commonwealth it would be better that they should come into power for a time. I have a

firm belief from past experience that if they were in power they would recognise more keenly the responsibility that rests on Ministers, and that wo should have legislation passed of a less, extreme nature than has been the case' lately—where they have had so much power to force the Dcakinitc party to place Acts on the Statute Book which in my belief are acting detrimentally as far as the Commonwealth is concerned, I refer more particularly to the Anti Trust Act, the Commerce Act and the Bonus Act. Tho tendency has been to go to extremes and force on legislation that might well stand over for a few years. We are compelling people to carry out very stringent moas surcs as far as their commerce is concerned ; we are bringing imports into the country, aiid arc forcing expenditure upon the various States in the way of bonuses ■which can bo of very little utility at all in assisting manufactures,

“ So tired of the present state of things are tho majority of the people of all the States forming the Commonwealth that if they were called upon to

give a vote to-morrow as to the retention or otherwise of the Federal Constitution there would be a strong majority against federation. Of course, there are large numbers of people who are Federalists, but they are disappointed at the want of a Federal spirit in the administration of. the affairs of the Commonwealth, and would gladly return to the old state of things under which each colony was independent,”