THE SUNS SYDNEY LETTER WHO WILL WIN N.S.W. STATE ELECTIONS?

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 128, 20 August 1927, Page 13

THE SUNS SYDNEY LETTER WHO WILL WIN N.S.W. STATE ELECTIONS?

LABOUR’S MOVES ITALIAN ARROGANCE SYDNEY, August li The ever-absorbing topic in Sydney is the poltical situation and the coming elections. The boldness of the A.L.P. in discarding men like Mutch and Cann in making selections of official Labour candidates is taken as an indication that Mr. Lang and his party are out for communism, pure and simple, and intend to put their chances to the test unflinchingly. At the same time, this splitting of the Labour camp, since ex-Ministers are not likely, to stand down, and indeed have stated their intentions of lighting to the last polling ditch, is held by many to be a weakness in tactics. "While no wild hopes are entertained by the Nationalists, the Labour Party has only to lose five seats to the unofficial Labourites, who are pledged to dethrone Mr. Lang, and that object will have beeh achieved, unless the Premier gets a much bigger majority at the polls than he has at present. It may be safety said that Mr. Mutch and Mr. Cann will come back, however; much tin? A.L.IL demands loyalty-to party atdiie, personality will always tell, and tlfese'men and others have it. Nationalist Weakness The weakness in the Nationalist, camp is the leader. Mi*. Bavin is earnest and timeless, but lie Tacks inspiration which goes with 'leadership. The 'appointment of Mr. ITolman to be organiser of the campaign is a hopeful one. for this old leader knows much of poli-. ticals ways. The fact that 'he lialr made no public move yet, indicates that some surprise may be in store. Labour is getting all the publicity at present. Among those who-may rise to leadership of the Nationalists, is Mr. Jaques who was rejected in the selection for official candidates, in favour of Miss Preston Stanley. Pie too will stand as an unofficial Nationalist and is expected to beat his opponent, who, although ; she went into Parliament with a blare of trumpets, has done very little in the directions in which, as a. woman reformer, she was expected to make determined efforts. The last election was a complete surprise; so may this one be. More likely, however, Mr. Lang will have a bare majority as at present.

Mr. Lang and Returned Soldiers One step of Mr. Lang’s has occasioned some comment. This is his sudden interest in the Returned Soldiers’ League. Mr. Cann offended a section of this body when he unofficially asked the Duke of York to unveil a memorial in the Blue Mountains. The storm following this may have given Mr. Lang his inspiration. At any rate, after: having been refused permission to place a cenotaph commemorating war in Martin Place in front of th<P G.P.O. recently Mr. Lang granted that permission, through the Labour City Council. TTie cenotaph was unveiled this week. It is such moves as these, based on common sense, which makes one wonder why the Nationalists did not think of doing them, instead of allowing them to become pre-election sops of a Labour Premier. Italians In Australia The arrogant demeanor of some - of the: subjects of the land of Mussolini, who have become Australian citizens, came to a head in Tasmania this week, when one, Tanfani, wrote a threatening letter to a Minister who had criticised a reported partnership between the Federal Government and Italy regarding the establishment of industrial works in Tasmania. In the’ storm which followed the Italian who wrote the letter backed down and apologised, but it was just a glimpse of the writing on the wall. In this city there is an arrogance in the bearing of some of the southern Europeans which suggests that they, not the Australians, are the native sons of this commonwealth. In a way it does good, because it awakens the indifference of the Australians. The keenness and energy of the Italians and Greeks in business cannot be denied, and they make money where Australians fail to. University Students’ Awakening Some weeks ago the Sunday News strongly attacked an appeal which is j being made to raise £250,000 for the Sydney University, urging that in its present organisation the University does not deserve any help. One point at which the finger of scorn was directed was the untidiness of the parklike lands which surround Alma Mater.

This week the city was astounded to .learn that the students of the engineering school were cleaning up the grounds, removing unsightly banks and laying out beds and paths. There is a picturesque stream flowing through the grounds, which has been spoiled by tins and rubbish in its bed and cjd newspapers on its banks. The students have cleaned up all this, and removed the rubbish in motor lorries, paid for out of their own funds since the Senate has no money at all for such work.

Woman Pigmy Visitor Though an Icelander has not yet landed in Sydney, to-day a member of an equally remote people, reached Sydney to swell the total of the many countries from which residents and visitors are drawn. This was Chili'wingi, a Bushwoman pigmy from Africa, standing 30 inches high and 25 years of age. She arrived in the German steamer Menes from Durban and has been brought by a theatrical cnterpreneur -who has returned from a tour of Africa. She possesses a remarkable intelligence and her turn is singing and danc-

ing in Bushman style, appropriately staged. Chiliwingi speaks Dutch well, and also the queer Bushman tongue with strange clickings and hissings. A guarantee of £2OO had to be lodged with the Customs before she could be landed. WILL LAW'S OX.