PEOPLE'S VERDICT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 138, 13 June 1932, Page 7

PEOPLE'S VERDICT.

RETURN TO SANITY.

Lang Bogy cf Lower Wages Rejected By Workers.

VICTOEY FOR DEMOCRACY,

(United r.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 10 a.m.) < SYDNEY, this day. The sweeping defeat of the Lang party's forces at the election was generally expected outside the ranks of that party. Both in the city and in the country there was an unmistakable atmosphere of lurking danger and an emphatic demand' for a return to a policy of sanity and honesty, and to freedom of Parliamentary Government.

In some quarters the belief was cherished that the Lang party would more than hold its own, because of the fear on the part of the workers that a ruthless slashing of wages would follow the return of the Stevens-Bruxncr party. Consequently the election came to be regarded ae the most momentous in the history of New South Wales, and the federation of the opponents of Langism made no secret of their fears for the future.

All conversation during the brief, but hitter, campaign turned on the political events of the past 18 months and what might happen if a renewal of confidence were given to Labour.

Election day could not come quickly enough for most people. Their minds were made up a fortnight ago, and the fight had resolved itself into clear-cut issues—the acceptance or rejection of the Premiers' plan, as in Victoria and Queensland, and the imposition or otherwise of what has been termed the "wealth levy." Determined to Defeat Langism. Grimness was written on every voter's face, and the seriousness of the decision at the poll was everywhere apparent. The crisis, which originated with the Governor's action, sent the ex-Premier for trial before the jury of the people. Now they have given their answer in a most convincing manner by determining the fate of several ex-Ministers of the Lang Administration and by the rout of the rank and file of the Parliamentary Labour party.

The devastating current of public opinion which swamped the Lang party in the metropolitan area spread throughout the State. Personal popularity was useless in stemming the tide.- One Labour candidate after another went under. Usually it is rather difficult to estimate the probable state of parties before midnight on polling days, but on this occasion nothing was left to doubt, so pronounced wais the swing to the Government side in all parte of the country and in many of the metropolitan constituencies. 'Mr. Stevens, commenting on the result of the election, stated: "As Premier of the United Government, I am delighted with the complete expression of confidence in our Government indicated by Saturday's overwhelming victory. I consider that it is a victory for democracy. lam confident that the result of this election will be immediately felt both overseas and in Australia." Mr. Lang commented: "The people have given their judgment upon the case as they saw it, and because we believe that the people alone shall govern we accept their verdict. I sincerely hope the amount of suffering to be borne along tho road that the people have chosen to go will not be as great as I fear it will be. "The Labour party will continue to fight as tenaciously a* ever avyaiting the hour (which will come sooner than is expected), when the Labour party will ''gain be called upon to lead our fellow Australians out of the wilderness. The policy of. suppiession and distortion itdopted by the metropolitan Press succeeded in misleading the people. The electors have voted for a policy without realising its frightful conseguencee."

"Mr. Stevens and Mr. Bruxner have received the most flattering vote of confidence ever accorded to a political appeal in New South Wales."

The "Daily Telegraph" states:. "Though it has been a sweeping victory for the Stevens-Bruxner Government, there is no easy time ahead of it. Eighteen months and a little worse of Langism has brought the State to the verge of bankruptcy as well as civil war. The new crew of the Ship of State will have to work off a year's deficit of £11,700,000 and the rest of the legacy of Langism."

The "Labour Daily" says: "The people have decided, and the people should decide. Some day, perhaps, the people will really rule. To say that this present judgment of the electorates is the considered verdict on the miseries of the times is to jest with words. When one remembers that the case of Labour was vilified, falsified and distorted out of recognition, that it was deliberately excluded, not only from the news columns but even from the advertising columns of 'the free and untrammelled Press/ in the vernacular the people have been 'sold a pup.'"

XJO/UUUI WCUJ viiiiicUj iu-ismeu. aiiu u.ia" torted out of recognition, that it was deliberately excluded, not only frorc the news columns but even from the advertising columns of 'the free and untrammelled Press,' in the vernacular the people have been 'sold a pup.'" Mr. H. Gordon Bennett, president oi the Chamber of Manufacturers of New South Wales, stated that the manufacturers felt much relieved at the result, for they foresaw, if the Lang party was returned, the gradual destruction of their industries for the purposo of socialisation. "The result gives us a new lease of life and new hopes for a rapid recovery of our lost trade." Scenes of tremendous enthusiasm greeted the announcement of the progress returns on Saturday night. In the city and suburbs large crowds listened to radio broadcasts in the streets at various centres, and particularly in places of entertainment. Wireless Plays Large Part. In no previous election has wireless played such a large part. It was impossible for anyone out of doors not to be aware of the progress of the count. At the offices of the United Australia and United Country parties there were extremely joyous scenes. The Premier, Mr. Stevens, was the recipient of numerous compliments and felicitations. "We never doubted that the heart of Australia rang true," commented Mr. Stevens. "This glorious victory over Langism and dishonesty has proved to the whole world that Australians stand for probity and integrity. This is no ordinary triumph. It affords a complete sense of satisfaction in that we have checkmated the forces of evil which have had a strangle-hold 011 this fair State for more than 18 months."

Mr. H. Gordon Bennett, president of the Chamber of Manufacturers of New South Wales, stated that the manufacturers felt much relieved at the result, for they foresaw, if the Lang party was returned, the gradual destruction of their industries for the purpose of socialisation "The result gives us a new lease of life and new hopes for a rapid recovery of our lost trade."

Scenes of tremendous enthusiasm greeted the announcement of the progress returns on Saturday night. In the city and suburbs large crowds listened to radio broadcasts in' the streets at various centres, and particularly in places of entertainment. Wireless Plays Large Part. In no previous election has wireless played such a large part. It was impossible for anyone out of doors not to be aware of the progress of the count. At the offices of the United Australia and United Country parties there were extremely joyous scenes. The Premier, Mr. Stevens, was the recipient of numerous compliments and felicitations.