Greymouth Evening Star. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1943. LABOUR’S LUCK HOLDS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 September 1943, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1943. LABOUR’S LUCK HOLDS.

yilE luck that has attended the Labour

Administration since it came into power in 1935, held •on Saturday, as although the votes given to Labour candidates totalled about 40.000 fewer than those given to Labour’s opponents, the Government will have a narrow majority in the new House. For several seats, the figures arc incomplete, and there may yet be changes, but as the figures stand to-day. Labour has received a hiding. “The Standard” laid down the dictum that every vole not given to the official Labour candidates must ho regarded as votes against the Parly. This Labour Press estimate makes the Government now a Minority Ministry, with considerable reliance on the Maori vote to keep it in office. Generosity to the Maoris has been a feature' of Labour policy, and it may have to be increased in future.

Most onlookers of the electoral contest will agree that lhe better side lost'. Throughout the campaign lhe Nationalists displayed the better leadership and team work. The Government, side had the great advantage of being able to scatter grants and concessions in preparation for the election campaign and found additional avenues for this administrative benevolence during Hie last few weeks. Nevertheless, apart from the larger industrial cities. Labour received setbacks, the country areas and the farming communities demonstrating opposition to State nationalisation and other control schemes. The larger number of Opposition Members in the new House, will be able to exercise a restraining influence on the Government’s zeal for extreme legislation, a zeal that may be further checked by Labour’s recollection of its election losses, partly due to resenlmeni of State interference willi individual liberties.

As was expected the numerous “Independent” candidates made a poor showing, and lost deposits will be general. Mr. Loe’s Party did little belter, none being successful, with Grey Lynn decisively rejecting its former favourite. Once again, the power of the Labour Parly machine proved crushing to comrades who would not accept the “bosses’ ” ridings. There will be widespread regret that Mr. Barnard will not be in .the new House, but he too had to pay the penalty for “revolt.” Mr. Holland had a great personal triumph, whereas Mr. Fraser is a “minority” Member. The women candidates wore not supported. Miss Howard alone being successful. The Nationalist new Members will add* debating strength to the Opposition and Parliamentary proceedings should be more interesting than hitherto to listeners-in. The selection of a Speaker will lessen the Labour majority, and if Mr. Nash keeps to h'is programme of being at Washington, or elsewhere abroad, for the greater part of the year, another vote will be lost to the Government. Among the unsuccessful candidates, Mr. Chivers may be commended for the gallant fight he put up. lie reduced the Labour majority considerably, and had he been in the field earlier, may have obtained complete success. Some excellent organising work Avas done by the district Nationalist committees, bid this must he continuous from one election to another to reap adequate harvest. Labour lets no opportunity slip, and it is wise “to learn from the enemy.” Congratulations will bo extended to Mr. O’Brien on his victory, by political supporters ami opponents alike. Air. Webb had the expected easy tr'iumph in Buller, but Air. Skinner had a near thing in Alofueka. It is a pity that the Nationalists did not do just that, little better that would have made their triumph complete, but they w'ill be encouraged by the knowledge that the more intelligent sections of the community arc with them, and they can confidently expect victory at the next general elections.