POLITICS IN AUSTRALIA

Evening Star, Issue 19052, 22 September 1925, Page 5

POLITICS IN AUSTRALIA

FEDERAL ELECTIONS PROSPERITY OR CHAOS THE PEOPLE TO CHOOSE. Press Association—By Telegraph— Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. SYDNEY, September 21. it is now considered probable, that the Federal elections will ho hold on November 11. Polling will bo compulsorv, failure to vote carrying a penalty of £2. , The Nationalists state that Mr Bruce’s appeal to the people will bo on the issue of responsible and orderly government versus industrial strilo and chaos. _ . , Other planks in the Nationalist platform are expected to be the abolition of Federal income taxation, the overhaul of the arbitration system,_ a national scheme of insurance against old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment, the effective protection oi industry, and a more comprehensive defence policy. Mr llnice’s policy speech will ho delivered at Dandenong on a date which has not vet been fixed. Dr Earle Pago (Loader of the Country Party) has issued a. statement, in which he says that the issue is whether the progress and prosperity of Australia, are to advance along constitutional paths, as approved by_ the majority, or whether chaos and industrial unrest aro to rule at the will of a few foreign extremists. Mr M. Charlton and other Lahorites claim that Air Bruce lias seized the industrial crisis involved in the seamen's strike to cloak the, weakness and legislative failures of his Government. T Mr F. Anstey (Deputy; Leader of the Federal Labor Party), in opening his campaign in Melbourne, declared that the Government has raised the deportation and strike issues to screen its own black record of legislation and administration for the. privileged and wealthy classes. Intense, interest has been aroused throughout the Commonwealth over Air Bruce’s sudden action. Both sides express confidence that they will obtain a victory. There has already been a rapid scatter of members to their electorates, and the whirling campaign opens immediately. Labor's chief hopes centre, in the Senate. Out of the eighteen Senators who must seek re-election seventeen are Allnistrial supporters. The ing Senators consist of eight Nationalists and eleven Laborites, and the latter party hopes to win sufficient, seats to give it a majority in the Senate, and thus bo able to create a deadlock which would compel Mr Brace to advise a double dissolution within a, few weeks of the new Parliament meeting. FEVERISH PREPARATIONS. SYDNEY, September 21. Feverish preparations aro being made by all parties for the Federal elections. Concern is felt in New South Males Labor circles on account of tbo shortage of fighting funds, which were largely depleted at the recent State elections. COMMENT IN ENGLAND LONDON, September 20. The ‘Daily News,’ iu an editorial, says: “Air firuce has acted wisely and courageously. The result will he awaited with great interest and some anxiety. The’election will have important echoes far beyond the bounds of Australia. A victory for Labor, which is essentially an assertion of the right to strike in defiance of definite trade union agreements, will everywhere ho interpreted as a triumph for Communism.” The ‘Westminster Gazette’ states: “Mr Bruce has chosen to dissolve Parliament. It will bo interesting to sec how far bis calculations will be justified. There is n superficial resemblance between the issue and Hie factor decided at the last British election. In the ordinary course of events Labor seemed to be assured of a majority, but everything has been changed by Air Bruce going to the country on the issue of parliamentary control, as against extremist control outside Parliament. The pretext is a little thin, and even compulsory voting will not make it more snbMautinl; but if Labor is beaten it will only have its own confused tactics to thank.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.