UNCERTAINTIES OF POLITICAL POSITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 237, 5 October 1940, Page 10

UNCERTAINTIES OF POLITICAL POSITION.

IN AUSTRALIA

Labour's ex-Judge Member Challenges Menzies. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Recti. 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The outstanding features of the Federal general election were the return of Dr. Evatt, formerly of the High Court Bench, in Barton, New South Wales, by a heavy majority over a strong opponent, and the close call experienced by the Federal Labour leader, Mr. Curtin, whose majority in Fremantle, with 60,000 voters, was only 604.

Juet what attitude Dr. Evatt will assume when the Labour showdown comes after the party conference with Mr. R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister, on Monday in Melbourne, is the all-absorb-ing topic of political circles.

Dr. Evatt, fortified by his judicial attainments, gave a tremendous impetus to Labour's campaign in New South Wales, and to a lesser degree in other Statee. He is regarded as having strong claims to the Labour leadership, although more than once he has said that he has 110 intention of challenging Mr. Cuvtin's position.

Dr. Evatt yesterday created a stir by a Press statement calling on Mr. Menzies to resign- because he had failed to secure an overwhelming mandate and the confidence of the people. Dr. Evatt went the length of outlining what to him was the constitutional position arising out of the. present stalemate, and declared that it was contrary to constitutional practice for Mr. Menzies not only to attempt „to cling to office but to attempt to assume to himself special jurisdiction of the King's representative to consult with various party leaders.

Dr. Evatt claimed that Mr. Curtin was entitled to an opportunity of receiving the King's commission, • and added that the danger was that the Prime Minister's manoeuvring might postpone that overhaul of the national war administration so necessary to the safety of the country. Labom Petition to Governor. 1 The New South Wales official A.L.P. executive decided to petition the Gover-nor-General to dismiss the Prime Minister, Mr. Menziee, and call upon the Federal Labour leader, Mr. Curtin, to form a Government.

Another noteworthy feature of the election was the heavy defeat of the former Premier of New South Wales, Mr. B. S. Stevens, by the retiring Labour candidate in the Lang electorate, contrasting with the slender victory of his former Ministerial colleague, Mr. E. C. Spooner, in the Robertson contest. It will be recalled that Mr. Spooner indirectly brought about the downfall of the Stevens Ministry.

The Federal Ministers, Mr. W. M. Hughes, Mr. P. C. Spender, Sir Frederick Stewart and Mr. A. C. Cameron, as well as the Prime Minister, all finished up with substantial majorities, but Mr. H. V. Thorby's defeat was not entiiely unexpected in view of the many controversies with which he has been associated. ' '

With only one r seat undecided— Maranoa, in Queensland —which is a likely gain by Labour, it is now possible to survey 'what has happened in the recent Federal elections. Labour's Net Galas Four. As cabled yesterday, the of the parties remains at 36 each, with an additional two Independents. Labour's net gains are four seats throughout the Commonwealth. - '' 7

The New South Wales, electorates alone revealed a heavy swing to Labour, which won 16 out of 28 seats, taking five from the Government parties. Labour also won one seat in Victoria, and seems certain of winning the last undecided seat—Maranoa.

Labour's losses were two seat*-in Tasmania and one in South Australia.

The. bickerings which - preceded . the' elections have now died>out,.and it is expected that, when the ' line-up takes place in the House, Labour will present a united front.

In all States other than. New South Wales there was no noticeable swing to Labour. , The majority, however, would have entirely disappeared but for the unexpected rally in Tasmania, where two. Labour seats revertejl to the United Australia party. One of these, Wilmot, which was the former Prime Minister, Mr. Lyons', seat, has been .received by the Government candidate Mr. Guy, from the Labour, candidate, Mr. Spurr, who won it at the by-election after Mr. Lyons' death. Mr. Guy. was a former member of the Tasmanian Assembly.

The position in West Australia is "as you were," but the tragic death this week of Mr. Green, representing Kalgoorhe, although it brings Labour's total number of seats back to 35, does not dispose of the fact that the seat will go again to Labour.