STATE ELECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 165, 10 April 1944, Page 5

STATE ELECTIONS

Coming Test Of Post-War Powers Transfer Plan AUSTRALIAN POLITICS (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received April 9, 8 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 9. The State elections which are to be held in Queensland on April 15, in ooutn Australia on April 29 and in New South Wales in May or June are expected to provide a good guide to public opinion on the transfer of post-war powers from the States to the Commonwealtn. ibis proposed transfer of powers will be prominent in all three election campaigns Indeed, the wider powers will be the main issue in South Australia, where Labour is making a determined effort to oust the present Liberal Country I arty administration. A Labour win there would imply approval of the Federal Government’s move for 14 additional powers, on which a referendum will be held later in the year, probably in August. It is generally expected that Labour will be returned iu both Queensland and New South Wales, and in these two States Labour’s, winning margins are expected to indicate "the public reaction to the wider powers proposals. In November. 1942, at the powers convention all the State Premiers agreed to the transfer of post-war powers sought by the Commonwealth, but only the New South Wales and Queensland Parliaments passed the legislation granting the transfer. Both South and Western Australia made drastic amendments to the Bill. Victoria passed the Bill but attached certain conditions. The Tasmanian Assembly passed the Bill, but the 'Legislative Council rejected it. New Queensland Party.

Queensland, the first of the three States to go to Ihe polls, has had a Labour Government for 26 of the past 29 years. No pre-election issues point to a major swing from Labour, but the new People s Party, which is led by the Lord Mayor of Brisbane. Mr. James Chandler, may win some seats. The present state of the. parties in the Queensland Parliament is: Labour 3S. Country Party 14. CountryNational 4. Independent 6. Some political observers expect Labour will gain a small majority in the South Australian Assembly, but it is doubtful whether any swing to Labour will be great enough to give it control of the Legislative Council. The present party strengths iu the Assembly are: Liberal Country Party 21. Labour 14, Independents 4. In the Legislative Council Labour holds only four of the 20 seats. In New South Wales a Labour victory is regarded as certain. Indeed, Labour may increase its already substantial majority. The present strength in the Assembly is: Labour 48. Democrats 14. Country Party 10. Independents 8.