BYE-ELECTION

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1931, Page 5

BYE-ELECTION

WIN FOR LABOUR. (Australian Press Association.) (Received thi< day at S a.m.) SYDNEY. .March D. The East Sydney final figures are:—Courtenay (Nationalist) 10.388 Ward (Labour) 19,975 .Montjov (( omuiuiiisi) 01 i Infoimal 1,0(18 Premier bang in a siatcmen 1 said that ihe result, of the contest was a message to all Australian Governments that the* people are determined that Australia's interests shall he served at all costs. Ward had won in spite o! unprecedented opposition. •‘The policy lie bought for must become Australia’s polity, if our nation is to avoid bankruptcy anil degradation.” Ward's statement contained the observation that his success amounted to a vindication of Lang and Beasley. Air Bavin (Loader of tip. State Opposition) opened the substantial swing of the Labour vote to the Nationalist was a definite condemnation of Lang’s flianeial proposals. At the same time, it was difficult to understand how anybody con'd he found to endorse such infamous and ruinous proposals. The former members, the late .John West, von the seat for Labour at the 1929 elections by an overwhelming majority of fourteen thousand votes.

NATIONALISTS CLAIM. SYDNEY, March $. The Nationalists claim that a lack of sympathy with Mr Land's financial plan was clearly established yesterday in the East Sydney by-election, by the greatly reduced Labour majority. CANBERRA, March 8. The “Sun’s” special representative here says:—The immediate result of the East Sydney bv-electn.n must drive further into the Federal Labour Party a wedge which is already splitting and disrupting it. The problem now confronting Air Soullin is whether to admit Air Ward into tDo counsels of his Party when the Caucus meets on Thursday, since Mr Ward contested the byelection on a policy entirely in conflict with that espoused by the Prime A 1 blister. If Mr Ward is excluded, then necessarily Alessrs Beasley, Eldridge. and Luzzariui, and Senators Dann and Rae must also remain outside, for they too, are on the side of repudiation. TRADES HALL ELATED. SYDNEY. March 8. The Trades Hall officials regard AP Ward's victory as a splendid achievement in view of all the circumstances. The number of electors enrolled was forty-six thousand.

NEW HOPE FOR AUSTRALIA. AIR. LANG’S INTERVIEW. (Received 12.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 9. Mr Lang interviewed said:-—“The result of the East Sydney election will give a new hope to Australia. It was the sound Australian spirit on which his policy was founded that gained Ward his support. When the people of Australia are more fully informed of what policy of the New South Males Labour movement means to Australia, they will endorse and support it even more heartily than the electors of the East Sydney. Ward’s victory is an epoch mailing one for Australia, because it means within a few months the whole economic outlook of our Governments will he changed.” The “Herald” says:—The report that Australia’s war debts to Britain are likely to be cancelled were discounted in Canberra during the week end. It is stated there is no possibility jof Austivniiu's debts being cancelled as the question of debts between Allied nations will be affected. It is understood, however, that the Commonwealth Government is hopeful that relief will he obtained for Australia by securing a modification or extension of the present terms of payment.

MR WARD’S SUCCESS. (Received this day at noon.) SYDNEY, March 9. The success of Air Ward is regarded in TTatvour circles as a personal triumph for Air Lang and a complete vindication of the' State Labour Party’s repudiation policy. The supporters of Air Theodore consider the expulsion of the fifteen F<diTul melnb-Ts who defied the state executive is inevitable.

Ward’s victory will further strengthen Lang’s position among the leagues and unions. It is considered that the Lang faction will be in complete command of the loriiicomiug Metropolitan and Easter conferences, which will decide the fate of Theodore and his refractory colleagues.

Commenting on the result Ah ‘ It could not lie regarded as a declaration bv the electors of East Sydney in favour of repudiation, but rather as a decision registered against the Nationalist Party, particularly in view of the fact that a consule motion lias been launched against the Labour Government and the boast made that the downfall of the Government, was imminent. 1 am sure an ovenvhelmning majority o) support*-is who voted for Ward believe in Australia doing everything possible to honour her obligations. Air Theodore said:—"The result does not give a great deal of inhumation to the principal parties concerned, it certainly does not- throw much light on the solution of Australia s problems.”

Mr Latham said:—“The figures show that even in what is regarded as •' sale Labour seat, the policy of Lang is strongly opposed by a very hug e number of electors,