FOUR PARTIES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 June 1924, Page 7

FOUR PARTIES.

VICTORIAN ELECTIONS. THE CHANCES OF LABOUR, BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT MELBOURNE, June 25. The result of- the State elections tomorrow has everyone guessing. The campaign throughout has been dull, and public interest has been lacking. Over 130 candidates Avill contest 45 seats, while, of the 20 seats for wliich members returned unopposed 12 are retained by Labour, o by the Nationalists or Liberals as they are hoav knoAvn, 1 and 3 by the Country Party. There are four parties in the field, namely, the Liberals, Avho stood by the Government, six Lberals Avho declined to follow the Government and Avho are being opposed by Labourites, and the Country Party. ■ - It is considered that Sir A. J. Peacock, who is leading the original Liberal wing, will secure a Avorking majority, and the question is Avhether the Country Party, Avho probably bold the balance of power, will decide to give Labour a trial at goA r ernment. A section of the Country Party favour this. The Labour- Party, flushed with the success of their cause in the other States and in Britain, make Avhat is considered an exaggerated claim that they stand to secure a definite majority. Some newspapers predict there \yll be little change in the strength of the parties. Others ask the ominous question: “Will Labour rule?”