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Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1929, Page 4

Ttie-turn of the political wheel in Federal politics will give Australia an op- . portunuy to review the general situation, and a chance not only to redeem matters, but also in the taking of stock, to settle the political policy on stable lines so that there may be some • chance of the country throwing off the incubus of recalcitrant labour, .which is bearing down the progress of toe Commonwealth so seriously. Jt may be. accepted therefore that Mr W. Hughes has done good service by the result created by his successfuli amendment. It seems to he better for the immediate future of the country that the Government policy on the arbitration'abolition question should be settled as it were, through the .votes of the people as a whole, rather than that the policy should be attempted on the margin of one parliamentary vote only. The cry of “trust the people” will be realised in this instance, not by a direct referendum on the issue, but on the broader issue of who shall lead and rule the country. The democratic leaning of the people will, therefore, have full play, not on a single issue, hut on the widest grounds possible, governing the political future of Australia. To that extent therefore, the crisis i.s of value and it will assist to clear the air. The political atmosphere needs clearing. Politics are very much at variance in Australia, governed ns it is by both Federal and State Parliaments. The Bruce Government desires to leave the arbitration ouestion .??nti.relf* to the individual States, so that there will not be, as at present, cross, purposes in the control and direction of labour disputes. The general feeling appears to be that Mr Bruce’s nartv, the National group, will be .successful. Tt is diffnilt to hazard anv opinion at this distance, for there is a vast continent to appeal f o, and the political ideals of some of the States are verv divergent. There i.s only a short time before pollingjust fire weeks. In that limited period the wbolo territorv has to be traversed which means that the airways will have +n be used, both for transport and broadcasting, if the leaders

and candidates are to cover tlie electorates at all adequately. It will be a short and sharp contest, and on the whole, according to tlie press predictions, the odds are in favour of the Government. But the fight is hardly on yet, and five weeks of intensive campaigning may produce many changes in. public opinion, though on tlie whole, it is possible the leaning will be for law and order.