FATEFUL DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 137, 11 June 1932, Page 9

FATEFUL DAY.

POLLING IN N.S.W.

GENERAL ELECTION. Big Swing from Lang Extremism Predicted. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HOPES. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph— Copyright; (Received U.uo a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The general elections being held in New .South Wales and Queensland to-day are creating very keen interest throughout Australia. The weather ior election day in Sydney is fine and cool. At midnight polling booth workers in a number of suburbs had taken up their positions for the big day. The Federal Ministry, for obvious reasons, is hoping for the return of Governments pledged to the carrying out of the Premiers' plan for the rehabilitation of the national finances, which already has been partly accomplished. The policy of the ex-Premier of New South Wales, Mr. J. T. Lang, is identical with that which wrecked his Government on May 13. He makes it quite clear that, if returned to power, he will launch the biggest offensive in the history of the State against the banks and other financial interests with his Mortgage Taxation Bill. Originally, Mr. Lang stated that the £10,000,000 to £12,000,000 to be obtained under that bill would help to pay oversea bondholders their interest. Now, however, he explains that the money would be devoted to providing employment and that whatever was left over would go to the bondholders. Welter of Political Scandal. It is safe to say that no ex-Premier has ever received such a raking from the newspaper* as has Mrr Lang and that no politician since the days of the late Mr. George Reid has been caricatured to the same extent. Moreover, never previously has there l«cn such a welter of political scandal as that to be probed by Royal Commissions recently set up by Mr. Lang's successor. The Lang party professes to be confident that Labour will be returned to power. The party organisers for the Government side, however, predict that Labour will lose practically every seat in. the country and also several in the metropolis. They say that in eight or 10 contests in 1930 the majorities were so narrow in favour of Labour that it will be quite a simple process to swing them away from Labour on this occasion. Also, the Government party organisers say that the people who will "do the trick" comprise members of the middle, class and small business men, who in 1930 were deluded by Mr. Lang's lavish promises. There arc 305 candidates for 00 eeatu in New South Wales. Three candidates, all anti-Labour, have been returned unopposed. There will, therefore, be only 87 contests, in 13 of which the issue will be confined to two candidates. The United Australia party and the United Country party, both represented in Mr. Stevens' Cabinet, are for convenience known ae the United parties. In seven electorates both groups have nominated candidates, but an arrangement has been made for the interchange of preferences. The nominations may be analysed ae follows: —United parties, 89; Lang party, 76; Federal Labour party, 42; Communists, 21; Independent, 77. The state of the parties after the previous election was: —Labour, 55; Nationalist (now a branch of the United Australia party), 23; Co ;ntry party, 12. One by-election resulted in the Country party capturing a seat from the Nationalists, and another in Labour gaining a seat.

GROUNDLESS. t Lang Group Charges Against New Guard. DEFENCE DEPARTMENT CLEAR. SYDNEY, June 10. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyone, has received a report from the Defence Department arising out of allegations made on May 14 by Mr. A. Beasley, leader of the Lang group in the Federal House of Representatives, to the effect that the Department named had been acting in concert with the New Guard. The report states that there is not the slightest foundation for the allegations. On the contrary, the activities of the New Guard have been a source of anxiety to the Defence Department, which has been forced to take steps to eafeguard its property. In no instance was the New Guard in possession of confidential information ir regard to defence stores, arms and ammunition.

ANOTHER WRIT. " LABOUR DAILY" SUED. (Received 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. On behalf of Sir Daniel Levy a writ has been issued against the "Labour Daily," claiming £5000 damages. FEDERAL REVENUE. DEFICIT MAY BE VERY SLIGHT. SYDNEY, June 10. The total revenue received by the Commonwealth Government in the 11 months of the current financial year is £01,846,000, of which £7,020.000 represents receipts from the sales tax. Jt expected that the defici' at the end of the year will be verv slight. There is eveii a strong possibility of a email surplus, especially if the New South Wales interest payments are met in the near future.