The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1927. THE NEW SOUTH WALES POLL.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1927. THE NEW SOUTH WALES POLL.

The latest returns published in regard to the New South Wales Elections, which have come and gone, disclose that Mr Lang and his Labor Government are definitely beaten—so much so that he does not even propose to meet Parliament again. The majority in favour of the Nationalist Country party alliance is not a very large one, but it is sufficient for all practical purposes, and it will enable Mr Bavin to take office with some prospect of administering public affairs effectively. There seems to be no doubt that throughout the country, in Labour’s ranks as well as among the rank and file of the general public, there is a strong reaction against the methods and the policy of Mr Lang, and no doubt the “Times” and the “Morning Post’’ were right in interpreting Mr Lang’s defeat as a protest against the domination of the Labour party by irresponsible extremists of the “Jock” Garden type. But it would bo a great mistake says a northern writer, to regard the victory of the Nationalists as in the strict son.se of the word a defeat for Labour. On the contrary, it is a victory for Labour. For without the support of a large proportion of the wageearners, Mr Bavin could not have won, and the revolt of the workers against the Lang regime is a striking proof of their determination to sacrifice even their loyalty to their class for the defence of their true political and industrial principles. Tl-e worst mistake that Mr Bavin and his friends could make would be to interpret Mr Lang’s defeat as a triumph for reaction or Conservatism. This does not mean that there is anj’ danger of reaction through the ascendancy of the Nationalist party. But there is a great deal in the theory offered by the “Bulletin” to explain the extraordinary submission of the workers to the tyranny of Mr Lang and bis Communist backers. “Lang’s best friends,” says the “Bulletin’’ “are the idle rich” —the men and women who by their ostentatious extravagance and the idle and luxurious lives they lead are a constant provocation to the jealousy and ill-will of the poorer classes, who contrast their own poverty with the vulgar profusion of social ‘wasters,’ and resent bitterly “the boundless impertinence and arrogance of these wealthy boors.” It is to be hopied that Mr Bavin realises that this danger is a real one, and that to retain office he must convince the masses that he is using his pxiwer to protect their interests and promote their welfare. One of the most significant features of this fight has been the personal bitterness displayed, and as a natural consequence the frequency of appieals to the law of libel. Close on £150,C00 has been claimed by way of damages for libels during the contest, and the end is not yet. Then there are elaborate and circumstantial charges of corruption to be investigated, and it is stated that the new Government is to be requested to set up a Royal Commission to inquire into the passing of the Liquor Amendment Act, in regard to which wholesale bribery is alleged. By the way, it is pleasing to see that the Commission which repxirted on Mr H. B. Piddington and his basic wage de>eisions has entirely exonerated him from any suspicion of partiality. But though no one denies his'personal integrity, the fact remains that his awards have helped to intensify class bitterness in New South Wales and to render industrial peace and security harder to attain. New South Wales

lias a long way to go yet to attain political peace. In particular the new Premier will have a very unenviable task ahead of him to grapple with the situation which it- will he his special duty to attempt with the object of achieving success and winning the good will of the masses.