Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17th., 1919. THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1919, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17th., 1919. THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

The Australian political campaign results are sufficiently complete at the time of writing to indicate that the i Nationalists will be strong enough in numbers tv control the administration. Ip the late House, the Nationalists and Farmers totalled 52, with Labor 23. Xn the netv House the Nationalist and Farmers will total about 48 f° Labor’s 27. The fluctuation, therefore, has been very slight, despite nil the noise made iby the aggressive Labor party, which called Mr Ryan, Premier of Queensland, to its aid. The issue in Australia last Saturday was very much on a par with what it is to-day in New Zealand. Hero as there, the official Labor party is of an extreme character, and an Australian newspaper pub the matter very clearly the other day when it went on to remark for the benefit of its readers that the choice for the Australian electors is between two leaders, two parties, two sets of principles. It is between a man, a party, and a Government who have brought the country successfully through a terrible war, and who at least do face the future with something moderate and constructive in the way of a programme; and some men and a party whose recent record and present associations bring them 'under suspicion in regard to both the practicability of their proposals and their loyalty to Australia and Groat Britain. Mr Hughes may, in some particulars, fall short as a leader, and in his policy has some embarrassing gaps; but he, his policy, and his record ring true, at any rate. Mr Hughes will retain I tin) Federal Premiership, and it will be j his task now to set about a great rcI construction ‘policy for his country. | 'Pile result of the Federal elections is a matter for special congratulation, and i indicates the sanity of the public feeling towards sound and loyal govern- ' ment. Air Hughes will possess a mandate which will give him the power to • go forward with every confidence. He is the best man on the political hori- ' zon of Australia for the task. He has had a special experience arising out of his visits to Great Britain and the mark he made there will give confidence to tho British moneylender in helping the country directed by so vigorous

a leader as Mr Hughes is capable of J being. The slight increase in the La- don bor strength is sufficient to act as a abl warning to the Government not to dally bes over the opportunity now given to -] it. In Australia a s here, the period c ] o of the war prohibited much attention to dei domestic affairs, but now these cannot llS( be longer neglected. There is a heavi- ;in er task ahead of Australia than that facing New Zealand, and Mr Hughes deserves all the encouragement he can get to forge ahead on sound progressive lines. In the task of reconstruction the Government must have the practical j sympathy of the people. It is all very well to demand this or that reform, but to make reform possible at all, the people must themselves co-operate willingly, and assist in the building up. Doubtless in Australia a s elsewhere, 111 with the settlement of the political issues a quieter spirit will pervade the P 1 people. They must come to realise that the legacy of debt from the war has got to be redeemed, and it is only work and production on all sides a which can genuinely retrieve the posi- 11 tion. It will be Mr Hughes’ task to •shape the administration of the coun- \ try to bring home this fact, so that t eventually, Australia will become the ii great country it is destined to be r under wise rule and sound government, h .■■ . t