COMMONWEALTH ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1929, Page 7

COMMONWEALTH ELECTIONS

REVIEW OF THE PROSPECTS. SYDNEY, September 13. Australia received the news of the defeat of the Erucc-Page Government with what might be termed “expected surprise.” It was expected in many quarters; but when it came, it came as a surprise. Looking bacic, however, it is realised that tire writing was on the wall for months, and while protagonists of William Morris Hughes, the “Little Welshman,” still claim him as the most vital force‘in Australian politics, but they have been forced to admit that he lias been working for the overthrow of the Government, on more or less personal grounds, ever siiv e the time he was deposed from the leadership after the war.

This is borne out in striking manner by the contents of a. letter published in the “Sydney Morning Herald.” It was sent by the former Prime Minister of Australia to Mr 11. W. Foster, former member for Wakefield, South Australia, when that gontlqman was defeated at the last elections.

“You were one of the few who, through good and evil fortune, always tinned to' me a friendly face,” the letter runs. “I shall miss you the more because I have quite made up my mind that this combination must go if Nationalism is to be saved. And, with God’s help, I’ll make some of them sorry for themselves. For the greater part of last. Parliament I had other fish to fry, but now I’m quite free, and, given decent healthy I’ll make Janus and Co. sit up.” That he has made “Janus and Co.” sit up with a vengeance is freely admitted, for it was his motion on which the Government went down to defeat, dragging with it all the bitter memorjes of its industrial proposals and fond recollections of the suggested heavy- taxation on amusements and imports propounded by Dr. Page. GOVERNMENT LEADERS UNPOPULAR.

Electors are not so much annoyed with Nationalism as they are with the present leaders of the party. Dr. Page is unpopular for bis muddling with the Estimates. Against the advice of his Departmental officers lie worked on the assumption that Customs figures would show the same handsome return over the last period. Then his proposed tax on amusements though it may have been justified, was bitterly fought by the amusement interests, which command strong newspaper support, ;while from, the stage and the screen, no longer silent, an avalanche,of propaganda was (poured out against Dr.. .Page. The Government, in fact, may be claimed to have been sunk by a wave, on the crest of which were the moving picture interests, William Morris Hughes, and Walter Marks. BRUCE WOULD BE DEPOSED.

There is. some truth in the suggestion too, that Air Bruce is personally unpopular with party members because of the manner in which, during, the past year or so, lie- has assumed the role of dictator. .Experience shows that members of a party appreciate a dictator in their heart of hearts; but be must be of a certain calibre. Air Hughes was that type of man while be lasted—blunt but efficient in his self-appointed role. Air Bruce, on the other hand, is supercilious and too patronising to retain his position. In fact, it is generally conceded that he does not care, personally, whether he retains his position or not, und it is almost a certainty that should Nationalism be returned to power, lie will be deposed from the leadership.

Nationalist party supporters 'are particularly bitter against Messrs Hughes and Marks on whom is thrown the whole blame for the wreck of the Coalition Government. i Strong opposition will be put up against /both in their electorates Doth constituencies are stronghold for Nationalism. And yet, both men command a huge personal following particularly Mr Hughes. Dr Nott who achieved fame by defeating the famous Mr Theodore for the Herbert seat then regarded as a Labour st.rongli.Oid in 1925, is freely mentioned as the man to oppose Mr Hughes. The position is fraught with impossibilites since it is quite possible in both electorates that the block Labour vote may send the Labour candidate into the House through the division created in the Nationalist votes.

LABOURS HOPES. Mr Sc llin, Federal Labour Leader looks forward with great hopes to a return to power, according to a statement issngd since the defeat of the Government. It is, however, difficult to understand what he means by “pow er,”’ since the /Senate is almost by “power” Nationalist—the majority is overwhelmed in fact— ; ancl a Labour Government in the House of Representatives would be hamstrung by this revisory body. Campaign funds of toe the Labour organisation are not bottomless, and if Mr Scullin found bis logidiation being cast ‘out Hy the Senate, and consequently asked for a double dissolution, the Labour purse would be tiled dry to fight a second election.

Nationalism’s party organisers claim that the outlook is bright from their point of view, and there is much talk of wrestling this sent and that from the grip of Labour. That the Country party will he solidly behind the Nationalist party in the fight is indicated by the only statement Dr Page has issued.