The Bruce-Page Pact.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18102, 18 June 1924, Page 8

The Bruce-Page Pact.

The annual conference in Melbourne of the Aufltralian farmers' Federal organisation has left the political situation as uncertain as before by leaving it to the State organisations to pronounce judgment on the pact concluded by their leader, Dr. Page (the Federal Treasurer), and Mr Bruce, the Nationalist Prime Minister. The test is -whether the farmers of. Australia are willing to risk, ia-

volving the Nationalists in defeat with themselves in the next Federal elections, leaving the political field to Labour, merely to assert their own independence as a party. For the farmers must know that they have nr more hope of attaining office in a three-party contest than Labour has in a two-party fight. The last Australian mail brought the full text of the agreement, which is as follows: At any election held while the Composite Ministry is in office, at which a Ministerial policy acceptable to both the Nationalist and Country Parties ;s submitted, all seats then held by the Nationalist Party shall be contested by the Nationalist Party, and all seats held by the Country Party shall be contested by the Country Party, and each party shall render to the other all assistance in its power to ensure the retention of the scat by the party contesting it under this arrangement. Both the Nationalist Party and the Country Party shall be entitled, if they think fit, to contest any seat which at the time is not held by either the Nationalist or Country Party, but every effort shall be made to arrive at an agreement between the parties whereby every such seat contested will be fought by the party which, after full consideration, is deemed most likely to win the seat. * Failing such an agreement, if candidates for any such seat are rhn by both parties there shall bo an exchange of preferences between the parties, and ever}' effort shall be made by both parties to ensure the observance of this arrangement by the issue of "How to vote" cards, and other methods. While the general basis of this agreement is the retention by each party of the seats held, it is thought desirable that, as regards Senate elections in any State where it can bo so arranged, a group of Senate candidates should be made, composed of two Nationalist nominees and one Country Party nominee. As a first step towards this "end, a Country Party nominee shall be included in the group to be nominated for New South Wales at the next election, and wherever else possible as opportunity offers. • • In effect the pact means that the two leaders have compromised to make sure of retaining the seat 3 which they now hold, and count on the exchange of preferences to lessen the danger of tho split vote in electorates where all three parties are in the field. What they do not explain is how they could mutually assist their respective candidates in some electorates and oppose each other on the same Ministerial policy in others. In the main, however, the pact is merely an elaboration of the conditions under which the present Coalition is functioning. The surprising feature about it is the fact that it was concluded by the two leaders without consulting their respective parties. And both have made it clear that they will Stand or fall upon its acceptance or rejection. Mr Bruce's habitual calm is probably not in the leafet disturbed by the risk, for he has a strong hold over the rank and file of the Nationalists. And even on selfish grounds they are not likely to reject the agreement. The country seats which the farmers now hold are the ones which tho Nationalists would be least likely to win in any case, and the pact leaves it ; open to them- to competo for the rest. O.n the farmers' side Mr Bruce has promised them State assistance equivalent to the protection which secondary industry enjoys, and it would seem better to share the reins of government with the Nationalists than not to have a hand on them at all, which would be their fate if they threw out the pact. But there is a very jealous regard within the Country Party, especially, in Victoria, for the individuality of the organisation, and the exchange of preferences has always boon fought as a limitation of the freedom of the voter. Victorian country opinion, which in the Stato arena has declared for independence, if ranged against the pact might wreck it, and would at least render its working extremely difficult. Dr. Page's immediate task is to discipline the wayward child in his family. ' j