GETTING “FED UP.”

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1926, Page 1

GETTING “FED UP.”

QUEENSLAND AND LABOUR. The Queensland State elections, which must be held before the end el .lime are expected to bo fixed by the Government -lor May. Labour has now been in power in the State tor JO years, but. at last, the wrting would appear to be oil the wall. At no time since 1915 has Labour been so less optimistic than at present, writes the Brisbane correspondent of the alclbourne “Herald.” 'The results of the recent Federal elections have impressed the Labour parliamentarians no less than the outside supporters to the movement with Uie big swing to Nationalism. The industrial upheavals to which the State was recently subjected had their effect on the Federal elections, and they are expected to be reflected in the forth-coming State poll. The State electoral boundaries, following a redistribution of seats before last elections, were fixed to flic advantage of Labour, while the practice of undertaking permanent works in certain areas on the eve of ail election also greatly enhances Labour’s prospects. Despite these advantages, however. Labour is expected to have the tight of its life in the next election. METROPOLITAN PROSPECTS.

The present position of parties in the Queensland Parliament is: Labour 13, Opposition 20; majority for Labour It. In the metropolitan area, there arc 17 seats, of which 1U are represented by Labour and seven Nationalists. If, however, the people in these electorates vote nl the next Slate elections ns they did at the recent Federal poll. Labour will be fortunate, if it retains four or five of these scats. It- would seem from the Federal figures that the party should hold Brisbane, Forlitiide Valley, Paddington and Burnnnda, while Ithaca, Kelvin Grove, Rulimbn, and South Brisbane are doubtful. Merthyr and Maroe seem to offer every opportunity for the defeat of Labour since the Nationalist candidates at the recent Federal elections had majorities of GOO and 530 respectively in these areas.

On the other hand, Labour has little prospect of winning any of the seven metropolitan seats hold hv the Nationalists. In the metropolitan area, therefore, the position could conceivably be altered to the following:—Nationalists, It, Labour, G. If tin’s came about. Labour’s majority would be reduced to six. THE COUNTRY VOTE. Could the country wipe out this deficit? It is clear that at the recent Federal elections there was a big farming vote for Nationalism. Heretofore Labour lias received much support’ from the man oil the land; in fact, so much did Mr Theodore recognise the vaule of this vote that at the last State election lie went to the country on a special agricultural programme. In May next hundreds of these votes should, judging from the Federal election, be lost to Labour. If Labour’s majority in the metropolis is reduced as indicated, Nationalism has only to pick up four seats in the country to bring Labour’s rule to an end. j

It is significant that Labour holds practically every electorate where the voting strength is low. Nevertheless, the anti-Labour forces have every chance of upsetting Labour in the country. At the Federal elections Sir L. Groom had actaully a majority of 341 in Toowoomba, which is at present represented in the State Parliament by f.iibour. Mr H. Hartley won Fitzroy at the lust State election by 288, but at the recent Federal election the Nationalist candidate had a lead of 14 in the same constituency. In Ipswich, at the last State election Mr D. Gledon had a majority of 576. At the recent Federal election the Nationalist candidate secured a majority of 349 in Ipswich. If these figrues are a reflex of flow the voting in May next migfft be expected to go. then Labour faces the prospect of defeat. Past experience, however, has shown that too much reliance must not he placed on a comparison of voting in State elections with the larger Federal sphere.