The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, DEC. 10th, 1921. N.S.W. POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1921, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, DEC. 10th, 1921. N.S.W. POLITICS.

Politics in New South Wales are in the melting pot. The Labor party appeal's to have outstayed its welcome. It has weathered a difficult political situation for quite a long time, 'this has been attributable to its own Inherent loyalty and the disloyalty of an opponent who accepted the office of the Speakership, thereby giving Labor a hare majority to hold office in any crucial division. The late Premier, Air Storey, was also an asset of Labor, and for his sake much was endured. The Labor party in Now South Wales in addition to ruling in the State Parliament, also dominates the civfcf (P® 51 * tion. Early this month the. IJalbor city council was defeated at the polls, and the major political section of the party will now have to face the electors and render an account of its stewardship. The Labour party in Now South Wales appears to have secured power largely as a result of the indilfereneo of the average voter. Now that Labor lias been oil trial it can be judged not by its professions, but bv its performances. The Labor Government has made a sad mess ol tho finances, the year lately closed diselos iiig n heavy deficit. Additional taxation is inevitable, and the Government responsible for such a condition of affairs, can hardly be in good odour with the people. Apropos of the political situation in New South Wales one of the members of Parliament described the Labour Government how going out of offico ns "the most reokless irresponsibly OftHgeroHH fUftKty IW* ever been in New South Wales,” That

was wholesale condemnation, and it will lie interesting to see if the verdict m ihe polls will support so sweeping a declaration. As regards the fate of the Labor parly in the Mother State, the writing is said to be already on tho wall. This is so ‘judged, from the defdat of the l<abur candidates at the municipal polling, and from the result of the Parramatta election last week. That was a federal vote hut the sweeping victory Sir Joseph Cook’s successor had is certainly signilicant. The state of parties at the moment is practically equal. The Labour Premier having rtisigned. Sir James Fuller will form a Ministry. It will not he possible for him to carry on with any security, ami it would he much better from every point of view for an appeal to the country to settle the vexed issues of the moment. New South Wales has its serious internal difficulties ns have all countries just now, and a stable Government is necessary to endeavour to extricate the country from its troubles Labour lias plunged the country deeper into debt and difficulty and industrially the country lias suffered by the el* forts to uplift the worker along tho lines which Labor lias followed. '1 he ibis.- legislation which has been attempted has not had happy results in creatine avenues for employment. Rather has the result been the opiiosite and the worker may well ask to be saved from his friends.