Queensland Prospects

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 June 1932, Page 7

Queensland Prospects

GOVERNMENT MAJORITY MAY BE REDUCED. Received Friday, 7 p.m. BRISBANE, June 10. Impartial observers say that a' close contest is inevitable r in the Queensland elections. Labour Opposition has so much leeway to make up that a big swing is necessary to give them

the reins of office. In the last Parliament, the parties were: Country and Progressive Nationalist, 44; Labour, 26; Independents, 2. The Redistribution Act reduced the number of seats by ten, leaving the parties as follows: Country and Progressive Nationalist, 41; Labour, 19; Independents, 2. Labour must therefore gain thirteen seats to secure a majority. It is expected Labour will score heavily in the north and central districts and also in the metropolitan area. The Government should hold its own on Darling Downs and the South Coast, but it is regarded as unlikely to gain seats anywhere. The general belief is that its majority is likely to be reduced, but whether it will vanish altogether can only be determined on polling day. NINE PARTIES IN QUEENSLAND. Received Friday, 11.34 p.m. BRISBANE, June 10. In addition to having no sympathy with the Premiers ’ Plan ;as at present drawn, the Labour leader, Mr. Forgan Smith, promises to raise, a “revival loan” for the absorption of unemployed. This money is supposed to come from the Colonial Sugar Refining Company. Premier Moore has now ascertained that the company has not been approached upon such a matter. The nine parties which are contesting the election are: (1) Government; (2) Country and Progressive Nationalist; (3) Official Labour; (4) Independents; (5) Queensland party; (6) Communists; (7) Lang Planners;- (8) Douglas credits system advocates; (9) Independent Farmers’ party.