Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1935. A CRITICAL YEAR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 128, 12 March 1935, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1935. A CRITICAL YEAR.

The decision of the two sections of the Government of New South Wales to go to the polls at the pending State elections as a solid body precludes the possibility of a clash of candidates in any electorate. Ihe decision is undoubtedly due to the danger that was emphasised in the Federal elections last year, when the split in the Labour ranks was a great factor in defeating the forces of disruption and allowing the return of a majority of moderates. The State Coalition has worked so satisfactorily that there is no reason to open up divisions in its ranks now. The case for continuance of the present regime was well put by the "Sydney Morning Herald” a few weeks ago in the following words: “The Stevens Government gave no promise to the people at the last election which, as far as the time available would permit, it has not made an earnest and more or iess successful effort to redeem. And there is the improved condition of the. country s affairs to show for it. A great part of the damage done by the Lang Government has already been made good again. The Lang Government went to the country on a record of wreckage; the Stevens Government is now about to go on a record of rehabilitation.” The “Herald” recalled Inat Mr S. M. Bruce, speaking in London recently, declared that 1935 will oe one of the most critical years in Australia’s history. Australia, the paper maintained, must find outside markets for her products or abandon all thoughts of further development. And with the conditions that prevail throughout the world with every nation bolting its trade gates against every other nation, where are those markets to be found? Within tne Empire itself a state of economic confusion is arising that threatens to put arbitrary restrictions even upon Australian exports to the Mother Country, while the Commonwealth is committed to the sending of money for the payment of an enormous interest bill at the rate of about twenty-five shillings to the pound. Thus this is no time for extremist doctrinaire politics. I his has been recognised by the people of Victoria, where, despite the fact that e alliance between the United Australia and the United Country Party is not so close as in the Mother State, the National Government was returned with an overwhelming majority, there is in New South Wales no more reason for disturbing the present state ot affairs, and with the lessons ot recent years and the promise ot the future vividly before their minds the electors may be relied upon to give their support to the party that has displayed a judgment and a knowledge 'of practical affairs that inspire confidence at home and abroad.