THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL ELECTION.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 24, 21 October 1937, Page 4

THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL ELECTION.

On Saturday next Australia will hold a general election for seats in the Federal House of Representatives of its fourteenth Parliament. These seats are distributed among the component States of the Commonwealth upon a population basis, which last year gave New South Wales 28, Victoria 20, Queensland 10, South Australia 6, Tasmania 5, Western Austrstia 5 and the Northern Territory one, or 75 in all. The Northern Territory representative, however, though entitled to take part in debate, has no vote, so that, so far as effective party alignments go, he does-not count for much. According to the Constitution members of the House of Representatives are elected for the duration of Parliament, which is limited to three years. Since a Labour Government under Mr Scullin was ousted at the 193 1 election the reins of office have been held by a coalition ministry drawn from the ranks of the United Australia Party, under the Prime Minister, Mr Lyons, and the United Country Party, under Dr. Earle Page. The election held in. September, 1934, resulted in the following representatiqn of parties : — United Australia Party 35 Umted Country Party 7 13 Federal Labour Party 18 Lang Labour Group 8 As above indicated, there was at that time a cleavage in the Labour Party, the main body being now under Mr Curtin, . present Leader of the Opposition and the secessionists all from New South Wales, acknowjedging as their directing head, Mr J. T. Lang, who has gained so ruddy a reputation as a politicai firebrand. The breach between these two divisions of the Labour Party is said to have recently been healed, but at the same time their relations are not regarded as being altogether cordial. In any event, however, they have been so far reconciled as to go before the electors as an ostensibly reunited party, with no vote-splitting among them, thus placing Labour in a good deal more advantageous position than three years ago. On this ground therefore, it may be expected that Labour in the mass will make some bigger numerical showing. Especially is this the case as Mr Curtin' s leadership has commentied itself to the more moderate section of the party which, however, may not welcome the possibility of a revival of the Lang influence. So far as can be judged by the Press reports reaching us the contest is being fought in a general way upon much the same issues as the last — Socialist as against anti-Socialist principles. A question that looms large in pre-eleqtion discussions is that of defence,- in which a quite eXtraordinary popular interest has been aroused that is in striking contrast with the geperal indifferenqe shown here with regard to it. In faqt, it is said that with respeqt to almost eVerything else a great deal of apathy is being dispjayed by a people whiqh, with so frequently requrring Federal and State elections, may well be said to be election-weary. ■ Even on this question of defence there is no such marked difference between the party policies as to constitute it a really decisive factor. Both are very much alive to the urgent need of being prepared for the emergencies that may arise from the disturbed and unfriendly international relations in both Europe and Asia. Where they differ is mainly that while Mr Curtin aims only at home defence for Austraha, Mr Lyons proclaims for support to the League of Nations and for close co-operation with the Motherland and the sister dominions. Labour has endeavoured to score a point by interpreting this as pointing £0 the introduction of some system of conscription, a word that is anathema to the great majority of 'Australians. Mr Lyons has, however, pretty well squelched that suggestion by a distinct and emphatic abjuration of any such intention. Thus the election campaign, though it has livqned up considerably during the last week or two, has been proceeding upon an exceptionally subdued note that does not afford any very reliable indication of how thqj votes may ultimately go. It was at one time thought that the result of the Victorian State election, held early in the month, might have an influence in Labour' s favour in the Federal contest, but in this there has been disappointment, since Victorian Labour made but very scant improvement in its position. It is to be said for the Federal Coalition Government that under its six-years ■ adrainistration economic and social conditions have vastly improved for all classes of the population, with the result that the foundations of a true and lagting prosperity would seem to have been laid. But whether the electors will show their appreciation of this by giving the Government another term of office cannot be judged with any great confidence. In suCh a big and scattered electorate there are doubtless raany incalculable loeal and personal considerations that will weigh, and all that may be said is that general indications point to the present Government being returned to power.