LABOUR STRONGHOLD

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 41, 18 February 1931, Page 9

LABOUR STRONGHOLD

(From "The Post's" Representative.) SYDNEY, 12th February. The certainty of another Federal byelection in Sydney has sen joy into the hearts of tho Nationalists, though, they are willing to admit that it will be more difficult to win East Sydney than it was to win Parkes. Three years ago the Nationalists would not have thought it worth while to contest East Sydney, but a big change has come over tho affairs of tho nation since then. Tho change in feeling even since the last General Election has been remarkable, as shown by the Parkes result. The East Sydney by-clcction has been made necessary by the death of a veteran Labour member of the House of Representatives, Mr. J. E. AVest. Mr. West had represented the electorate for twenty years. It has always been regarded as a Labour stronghold, and if the nature of Mr. West's majorities are any criterion it certainly was. However, Mr. West was immensely popular personally, and would have been assured of a big vote no matter what his political colour._ Ho was a master plumber, so he had the uniquo distinction of being as welcome at a meeting of employers as he was at a Labour Conference. There is every indication now that the Nationalists will make their first serious endeavour to capture the seat, and they think that their main ally will bo tho Labour Premier of New South Wales, who has advocated the repudiation of interest due to State bond holders. Although the Prime Minister has said that the Federal Government will have nothing to do with Mr. Lang's scheme, much will be made of the repudiation issue—in fact, that issue- will be the main one. The selection of a candidate will be important. A strong man will be needed, and he will not bo easy to find. There has already been quite a stampede of Labour men anxious to secure the party selection. In view of tho Parkes debacle Labour, too, realises the need for a strong man. It is going to bo a keen fight, and ever so much more interesting than the contest in Parkes. j