AUSTRALIAN LABOUR SUFFERS SET-BACKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 March 1947, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN LABOUR SUFFERS SET-BACKS

(Rec. 9.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day.

Opponents of political Labour in New South Wales and Queensland are taking heart from the results of the State elections in South Australia and West Australia. Queensland will decide its Government on May 3 and New South Wales will go to the polls within a fortnight on either side of that date.

Following the undoubted success of Federal Labour at the last general elections, the Australian Labour Party had a vision of an unbroken front of Labour Ministries in all the States of the Commonwealth. At that time the only non-Labour Government in Australia was the Playford administration in South Australia. But when that State went to the polls, the electors made no secret of their support of Mr Plavford and his policy of development with the minimum of industrial disturbance. Losses in South Australia

In the first set back for some years .Labour lost four seats in South Australia. This could be attributed to many causes, none of them reflecting discredit on the Labour effort. South Australia has flourished under Mr Playford, even to the point of taking valuable secondary industries from New South Wales. In a purely State vote, Mr Playford could stand on his record and be assured of the support of the majority. Labour supporters criticised their party’s handling of the campaign, particularly in regard to the advertised intentions to dispose of the

State "Upper House. The result of the election, ' therefore, did not cause much fluttering in the Labour dovecotes. Defeat in West Australia

The outcome in West Australia has had a vastly different effect. The Labour Government must have imagined it had last Saturay’s election in its pocket when, in the Legislative Assembly of 50, 15 Labour members, including five Ministers, were elected unopposed. Yet the polls put Labour down for the full count. Actually the party won only eight of the remaining seats. The Opposition was divided, as it will be'in New South Wales, and the Opposition parties had a prior agreement to act as a coalition in the event of victory.

The effect of the reverse has been to 'indicate plainly’ that there is national reaction against Labour. This has been strengthened in New South Wales by the continual industrial strife, which is succeeding in causing discomfort and loss of money and in creating a feeling of insecurity. Can be Over-emphasised

The effect of the anti-Labour reaction can easily be over-emphasised. In both New South Wales and Queensland Labour has a handsome' majority. Unionism is strong • and will stand solidly behind Labour. Though in New- South Wales, the Liberal and Country .Parties have pledged mutual support, they are still two parties with differing policies. While Labour has been made to count its forces and prepare for | battle* .it sees no reason for any les- ! sening of confidence.