N.S.W. ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1922, Page 4

N.S.W. ELECTIONS.

-r.:.A TANGLE OF PARTIES

SYDNEY, March 16

A tangle of parties is greatly in favour of the Governmnt in the campaign now being waged connexion with the State elections on March 25th. The electors are confused with Nationalists, National-Coalitionists, Progressive-Coalitionists, Progressives, ; Labour, Independen-Labour, Indus-trial-Labour, and Democrats (Roman Catholic Party), and a considerable number with banners all their own, and no particular brand of alliance with anybody or anything. In some of the metropolitan divisions, which liavo to return five candidates, there are from a dozen to 25 names, some of file parties running more than the five.

The liquor prohibitionists are also also endeavouring to make themselves felt with a. demand for a referendum and the Protestant Federation is active. Owing to the ominous reports from tho great industries, such as th e Litligow Iron Works, the Newcastle Steel Works and others, about closing down on account of the high costs, the question of wages is a prominent one in the election * campaign. Labour candidates are making the most of the Government’s proposal to keep tho minimum wage- up to £4 5s a. week by Act of Parliament, though they have difficulty over the unemployment as- , pect of high wages. Dealing with the latter, the lead was given by the Premier in bis charge of “a conspiracy to lower wages. The Opposition leader, Sir George Fuller, states that the Coalition stands for maintaining the standard of living and that it will never he a party to reducing wages so that greater profits may he made. The election froth that is being I given out bears evidence of confusion and insincerity. The men out of work are quite aware that employment could be obtained at pay lower than the basic minimum, and altogether there is a possibility of the workers vote causing something of a surprise on March 26tli. Preference to returned soldiers having l>een refused, the Government can expect no help in that quarter. An astonishing variety of occupations is shown in the description of the 300 odd enndidaes - they range from news vendors to manufacturers, from shop assistants to property owners. About fifty farmers and graziers are standing about 20 aspirants are described as labourers, and all the farmer members of the Assembly except our are again after the prize of £875 per annum. There are two women candidates, one being described as “secretary” and the other “home duties.” Both are contesting metropolitan seats, one as Nationalist, the other unspecified. Labour, knowing that its supporters will vote solid to a man, is particularly confident of securing a working majority (the present position of the House' in 45, Labour and 45 anti-La-bour). The Coalition is equally confident of ousting Labour from three seats at least.

POSITION NOT YET CLEAR, AUSTRALIAN ANII N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. SYDNEY, March 28. The New South Wales general State election took place yesterday and the polling was heavy. So far the only returns available are incomplete. These, however, showing the first preference vote, indicate the return of the following: Thirty-five Coalitionists. Seven Progressives. Forty Labourites.

Both the Premier (Mr Dooley) and Sir George Fuller (Leader of the Nationalist Opposition) are safe. Mr Levy, the former Speaker of the N.S.W. Assembly, is so far well behind.

Mr MeGii r (leader of the Left wing of th e Labour Party) is leading for Sydney City. Sir George Fuller says that lie expects the final position of the House to he.-—Labour 42; Anti-Labour 48. The Premier (Mr Dooley) lias so far declined to make aity comment on the figures, as they are >y et too incomplete. Mr Wearne Leader of the Coalition (Nationalist) wing of the Progressive (Farmers) Party is npparenly secure. The voting in all the electorates was heavy. The compulsory enrol meat was responsible for 103,505 more electors on the roll than at the previous poll.

LABOR APPARENTLY DEFEATED 'Received Tin’s Day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 27

Nbw South Wales elections later figures show the anti-Labour parties have gained six seats and will probably win four more, giving them a majority of 10.