Australian.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1917, Page 3

Australian.

Peb Pbess Association.—Copteighi Press Comment. (Received March 26, at 11.5 a.m.; Sydney, March 26 The election aroused keen interest in the other States. The result is accepted as an indicator of the forthcoming Commonwealth Btrogglo. The Herald gives the state of parties as:—Nationalise 49, Political Labour 30, uncertain 11. The Dailv Telegraph gives it as Nationalist 47, Political Labour 33, Independent 1, doubtful 1. For the Becond ballot there are eight. The Herald in a leader says the victory of the Nationalists is a victory for sane government, on well ordered, progressive lines. There is evidence that whilß the State is thoroughly democratic in thought, it abhors ex. tremiatg on either side, and has no confidence in men who would destroy institutions, and out of the ruin seek to erect an anarchic Stale. The Telegraph in a leader, says the State has reasons to congratulate itself on securing a sane, stable government, free of a secret taskmaster in tbs shape of a caucus. Melbourne, March 26 The Federal Government is ap. pointing a board to enquire into the importation and to formulate a scheme to limit the importation of luxuries, Labor Party’s ManifestoMelbourne, March 26 The Australian Labour Party, in a manifesto, says (he party will continue under the voluntary system to secure every naan fit for vbe front. If returned they will instruct the censorß to relax the irritating g:ip of secrecy. Money will be lent without interest to ' returned soldiers wishing to go on the land, or to in business. The 1 tariff will be revised ‘o give adequate protection for Australian manufacturers. There will be a tax on wealth from any purpose. War profits will be taxed on a brsis of fifty per cent excess profits for the year 1915, sixty per cent for 1916 and 100 per cent thereafter the duration of the war. Results oi3cussed(Received March 26, at 11.25 a.m.) Sydney, March 26 : Mr Storey says he is not exactly ' satisfied with the results. Ho thought , the party would have done considerably < better, Mr Meagher attributes his defeat largely to the foetid, venomous sectarian issue. The Herald poioti out that though direct labour has increased the num- , ber of its supporters, which had, after 1 the recent conscription split came, the 1 result of the election puts the Political Labour League back to where it stood ten years ago, at the beginning of labour's rise to power. A featnre of the voting was all the second ballot victories. .

The Labor Party in the metropolis in 1910 turned round upon them. Of the old Liberal Party Mr Waddelly was the only one to suffer defeat, -but the Nationalists’ section of the old. Labour Party suffered considerably, losing nine seats to the Political Labor League. The latest figures leave the position unaltered. All the Ministers are safe.