THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 9 June 1913, Page 4

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Although the Federal elections have produced a deadlock, so far as the respective parties are concerned, they have demonstrated clearly that the Labour Party, which came into power with a beating of drums, has declined in popularity., and that the Commonwealth is not prepared to trust its destinies longer to a body of men who are .controlled by the Trades Union caucus. During the period that lie has held the reins of office, Mr Andrew Fisher has made fewer mistakes than was expected of him. He has, indeed, developed Imperial tendencies which are foreign to the average Socialist, and has won the sympathy of many of the advanced Radioi-ls. In spite of this fact, and all the influence that power and patronage can command, lie has suffered defeat at the polls, and will have to re-sign himself to the cold sludos of Opposition. The most remarkable feature of the elections is the emphatic pronouncement made against Labour in New South Wales, where the strike fever has latterly been so much in evidence. The people of that State, more than of any other, .have tasted the sweets of Labour domination, and have cried "Enough!" The result of the polls in Australia, following the defeat of the Lib-Labs. in New Zealand, must have % salutary effect upon public, opinion throughout the Empire.