The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1932. AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 138, 13 June 1932, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun.

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1932. AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS.

For the Cause that lacks assistance. For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And. the good that tee can. do.

The news from New South Wales is about as good as it could-be. It may be objected that, since Mr. Lang still lives (in the political, sense, of course), the victory for sanity in finance and general decency in politics is not complete, but the rout of the Lang Party is complete enough to satisfy most of his enemies. Whereas he had fifty-five members in the old Parliament, he will have Jess than half that number in the new; several members of his Ministry have fallen; and he saw his personal majority fall from thousands to hundreds. The result will be received with profound satisfaction, for far more was at stake than at any previous State election in Australia. The Lang Government pursued a class policy. It was utterly reckless in its statements and its' actions. It was shameless in its application of the principle of "spoils to the victors." It had refused to co-operate with the rest of Australia in meeting the economic depression by a joint policy, and defied the Federal Government when the latter passed laws to hold it to its obligations. The richest State in Australia stood in the way of national recovery, and had the verdict of the electors been in favour of Mr. Lang, the consequences to the Commonwealth Avould have been calamitous. In the circumstances, an emphatic condemnation of Langism was needed for the welfare of the whole nation. A small majority for the new Ministry would have been a disappointing response to such a resounding appeal for good government, and the Opposition would have been encouraged. The actual result is a shout of approval that can be heard all over the world.

Above all, however, is this victory important because it shows another democracy refusing to be deceived and bribed. Associated with Langisin were evils that threaten Democracy everywhere. If Democracy cannot distinguish truth from falsehood, if it cannot bear to be told the truth, but must be humbugged with soft words and promises impossible of fulfilment, then its future is dark indeed. It is stated in our cabled news from Sydney that "the story concerning the country electorates can be summed-up in the words 'utter rout; of Labour.'" The description is unfortunate, because it is seriously incorrect to suppose that Mr. Lang represented Labour. He represented only his particular brand of Labour, and he had the Federal .Labour Party opposed to him with all its might. New South Wales did not.revolt against Labour rule. What it rejected : with such emphasis was Langism. It is quite clear from the successes of the new Government in city and country that scores of thousands of wage-earners must have voted against Mr. Lang.

The difference between Labour and Langism may account partly for the victory of Labour in the Queensland elections.. 'It is true that Labour policy in Queensland bears some resemblance to Mr. Lang's. Mi , . Forgan Smith, who will be the new Premier if, ;as seems certain, Labour takes office, has, like Mr. iLang, opposed the Premiers' Elan, and his promises to the electors suggest that he. wishes, them to believe that the depression can be met without sacrifice. 'But Queensland, unlike New South Wales, has not. experienced u period of Langism. ' The. Queensland results may seem to some a "little speck in.garnered fruit" in the political news from Australia, but there is no fear that it will be the spot that "slowly moulders all" A setback to the Premiers' Plan in Queensland is very much less important to the rest of Australia than would have been a similar check in New South Wales. Mr. Lyons will rejoice so much over the defeat of the principal forces of the enemy that probably he will not worry seriously over the reverse he has received'in this , minor action.