N.S.W. ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1922, Page 4

N.S.W. ELECTIONS.

BITTER INTER-PARTY DIFFERENCES. SYDNEY, Feb. 22 At last Hie Premier of New South Wales (Mi Dooley) lias emerged from his celt of mystery, and has announced tjiat the elections will take place on March 25 t th. In enunciating the platform qf the Lajboqr Party Mr Dooley foreshadowed a number of highly radical proposals, among which are the following:—Abolition of the Legislative Council; a committee of both parties to review legislation before it is finally

passed by the Legislative Assembly > swamping of the Legislative Council to give effect to its abolition ; subdivision of large holdings; motherhood cgidpwmcnt ; adult suffrage in municipalities and shires; the limitation of dividends, in cases of monop’lies and public utilities; the basic wage of Cl 5s to lie ipajntupjpd for tbe current year. The campaign so far lias been marked by serious internicine differences among the parties engaged in the. contest. In the first place Sir Joseph Carr.uthers, an ex-Premior of tbe State, who.was airpointed Campaign Director tor the Coalition of the National and Progressive Parties,' which, coupled with f lic resignation of the Speaker (Mr Levy), brought about the downfall of the Labour Government, found, after a week that there was so much disunion among tbe section for which he was acting, that if was impossible for him to carry on, and, in disgust, he resigned. There lias been bitter recrimination also between that section of the Progressive Party that refused to take part in the Coalition, and tbe section of the party 1,1,0 v working with the Nationalists. Fveii worse lias been the Labour Parly’s conduct of the campaign, due to the rivalry between Ihe Premier and the Minister fojr Motherhood (Mr MeGirr). Although previously representing a country constituency, Mr McGirr contested the selection for Sydney, and was successful. The executive, of the Australian Labour Party decided, however, to ignore the selection ballot, and selected other candidates, particularly excluding Mr .McGirr. Subsequently another selection ballot was hold. Mr McGirr topping the poll. That ballot, holdover, has been challenged by many of the Labour leagues, and there are many charges of corrupt practices in connexion with the ballot. As an indication of the attitude of Labour generally towards Mr Dooley and his Government, Hie Labour Council has issued a statement which promises support “in the absence of a more efficient working-class political party,” and threatens that should Air Dooley j fail the workers on the question of unemployment, the basic wage and tire , 4‘l-hours week, the workers will take matters into their own hands and fight the employers uncompromisingly, both, politically and industrially.

The Loader of the Coalitionists (Sir Go or pie Fuller) is appealing to !iie country on the' grounds of the failure of the Government to take proper stops to reduce unemployment, its extravagance, and the undue taxation which it has imposed and proposes to impose. The slogan of the section of the Progressive Party that has refused to coalesce with the Nationalists is “Production, scientific marketing and a fairdeal to all.” The leader of the party, Colonoi Bruxner, has claimed that a eor.r eat rat:-.I effort has been made bv certain city interests to drixe ex* ■ y member into one or other of the two big political camps, hut Ibis.has n t been achieved.

The polling will again be under (he proportional system, and in consequence the crop of candidates for each electorate includes many independents, who hope to squeiwe in between the voting systems of the two big parties. Among these is Sir Benjamin Fuller, who has do; hired Ids policy as “No interfer\ii -i ■■•.• ages” and “No pre-selec-tion of candidates.”

A unique event of the campaign is the candidature of Mrs .T. A. Wilson, .T.P., in the Progressive interest for a oily electorate. She proposes to go to tl-!.> polls without making a public speech or appeal. There are several other women candidates.