The Guardian And Evening Star, with Which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1927. AN INTERESTING CONTEST.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with Which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1927. AN INTERESTING CONTEST.

The Federal Election for the Dailey seat in Australia is likely to he invested with a large degree of public interest outside the confines of the electorate itself. Mr W. G. Mahony, the sitting member resigned lately. He is a supporter of the Labor party, and the Labour Executive selected Mr E. G. Theodore, former Premier of Queensland to contest the by-election campaign in the Labor interests, and he has commenced the fight already in a vigorous opening speech to which a good deal of prominence was given in the cables. Much importance is attached in Labour circles to the decision of Mr Theodore to enter Federal politics l>ecause if he is returned for Dailey he will probably lie asked to accept the leadership of the Federal Parliamentary Labour party in place of Mr Charlton. The developments which led up to Mr Mahony’s resignation occurred with dramatic suddenness, and came as a surprise to the majority of the meml>ers of the executive themselves. It has been known for some time that Mr Mahoney’s health had been unsatisfactory. According to reports at the Trades Hall, a recent intimation from his medical

adviser caused him to much concern that he decided to relinquish public activities for a considerable time. Mr Ma! lony, it is renorted, discussed the matter with his friends;, and the suggestion. was put forward and accepted in all quarters that Air Theodore 1 should be invited to accept the nomination. was carried and forthwith conveyed to Mr Theodore. On receiving his consent the executive formally endorsed Mr Theodore as Labour candidate for Dailey. Comment among the Labour officials at the Trades Hall says a Sydney paper indicated that while the, retirement, of Mr Maliony, whoso lighting qualites had won him many admirers among Labour moil, was regretted, there was a feeling of satisfaction that an opportunity had occurred which would probably enable Air Theodore to enter the Federal Parliament immediately. Air Theodore’s election would not, of course, carry with it a right to the leadership of the Federal party, lie stated to members of the executive that he was content to take bis place in the rank and file, and expected no “royal road to advancement.” There is a strong general feeling, however, that the Federal party has been dispirited since the debacle of the last Federal elections. and is at present not an. effective Opposition. Other members expressed the opinion that the infusion of “new blood” would put fresh heart into the political fight, and enable, the Labour party to retrieve its fortunes. Air Charlton has lost much prestige as a leader among the State Labour members owing to bis attitude to the referendum proposals, which, contrary to the wishes of the State executive, he agreed with the Prime Alinister (Mr Bruce) to support certain of the proposals. Afany Labour officials rightly or wrongly, have placed the onus for the overwhelming defeat of the Federal Labour party at the elections upon the shoulders of Ah- Charlton. Afemhers of the executive consider that as Afr Afahony’s majority at the last election was about 11.000 it is probnb’e that Aid Theodore will be returned unopposed. Mr Theodore's endorsement, was strongly supported by both Federal and State officials of the A.AV.TL They argue that his active participation in the political affairs of New South AVales will lead to a closing up of the ranks of Australian Labour, and bring about a united front for the next Federal elections. Mr Theodore was a, member of the Queensland Parliament continuously for 16 years. He became Deputy Leader of the Queensland Labour party in 1912, and on the accession of the party to power in 1915 lie became Treasurer. He succeeded ATr T. .T. Rvan as Premier of Queensland when the latter relinquished State for Federal politics in 1919. Afr Theodore resigned the Premiership in 1925 to contest the Federal division of Herbert, where after a keen contest Tie was narrowly defeated by the Nationalist candidate.