N.S.W. ELECTIONS

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15860, 27 March 1917, Page 7

N.S.W. ELECTIONS

STATE OP THE PARTIES. VICTORY FOR SANE GOVERNMENT. k (By Cable—Preaa Association —Copyright.) SYDNEY. March. 26. The State election aroused keen interest in other States, and the result is accepted as an indication of the result of the forthcoming Commonwealth struggle. The ''Sydney Morning Herald" gives the state of parties as: — Nationalist ... ... 49 Political Labour League 30 Uncertain ... ... 11 The "Daily Telegraph" places them as:—

| Nationalist ... ... 47 Political Labour League 33 Independent ... .... 1 Doubtful ..i 1 Second ballot ... ... 8 The "Herald," in a leading article, says:—"The victory of the Nationalists is the victory of sane government on well ordered, progressive lines. It is evidence that, while the Stat© is thoroughly democratic in thought, it abhors extremists on either side, and has no confidence in men. who would destroy institutions and out of the ruin 8 seek to erect an anarchic State." The "Telegraph," in its leader, says: —"The State has reason to congratul late itself on securing a sane and stable Government free from the secret taskmaster in the shape of the caucus." The Political Labour League leader, Mr J. Storey, says that lie is not exactly satisfied with the results. He thought that the party would have done considerably letter. Mr R. D. Meagher, Lord Mayor of Sydney, and president of the Executive Council, attributes his defeat largely to the footid, venomous sectarian issue. The "Herald" points out that, though direct labour has increased $Se number of the supporters which it had after " the recent conscription split came, +ho result of the election puts the Political Labour League back to where _ it stood ten years ago at the 'beginning of the labour Party's rise to power. A featuro of the voting was that all the second ballot victories of the Labour Party in the metropolis in 1910 turned round upon them. Of the old Liberal Party Mr Waddell was the only one to s'llTer defeat. but the Nationalist soccion of the old Labour Party suffered considerably, losing nine seats to the Political Labour League. The latest figures leave th c position unaltered. All the Ministers' seats are safe. THE FEDERAL CONTEST. LABOUR PARTY'S MANIFESTO. MELBOURNE, March 26. The Australian Labour Party manifesto says that if the Party in returned to power it will continue under the voluntary system to secure every man fit for the front. If it is returned it will instruct the censors to relax their irritating grip; excess money will be lent without interest to returned , soldiers wishing to go on the land or engage in business; the tariff will bo revised to give adequate protection to Australian manufacturers; there will be no (?) tax on wealth for any purpose; war profits will be taxed on a basis of 50 per cent, of excess profits for the year 1915, 50 per cent, for 1916.. and 100 per cent thereafter for the duration of the war. A DISCREDITED PARTY. MR HUGHES'S COMMENT. (Received March 26th, 9.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 26. The Primo Minister, Mr W. M. Hughes, commenting on tho result of the New South Wales election, said tho caucus party had suffered a wholesome defeat. They had been living in a fool's paradise since the Referendum. Tho light of day had now pierced tho mist through which they imagined they saw tho promised land, They now found themselves a hopelessly discredited party. The Kahibah seat, which was yesterday included in the Political Labour Leaguo wins, is still in doubt. A second ballot may be required. There is a possibility of Mr A. Edden, the Labour Nationalist, retaining the seat. With the absentee vote still to be counted, there is a bare possibility that jj r T. Waddell (Nationalist) will, after all, be returned for tho Lyndhurst seat