THE AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 4694, 16 May 1935, Page 4

THE AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS.

The elections in New South Wales and Queensland on Saturday go to prove that while the people of Australia are willing to accept a moderate Labour Government, they have no time for a policy such as the Lang regime forced on New South Wales some years ago. The Stevens Government lost some seats, but was returned with a substantial majority, and Langism has been whole-heart-edly condemned for the second time. It would jiave been extraordinary if the electors of New South Wales had forgotten in three short years the conditions of the State due to the policy of the Lang Government, and also the improved conditions, economically and financially, that had been brought about by the Stevens administration, whose policy was endorsed by the electors on Saturday. The people must have felt humiliated by the low standard of politics introduced by Langism, and are determined to have no more of such intrigue and injustice. The Stevens Government has reduced the State deficits, lightened taxation, and restored that confidence so necessary for the prosperity of any State and the general welfare of the people. Mr. Lang ignored the rights and principles of organised Labour in Australia. He sought to make himself a dictator, and would brook no interference in the policy he set out. He termed his organisation “My Labour Party,” and he was the supreme head of an organisation that was at one time responsible for almost making the State bankrupt. He and his party have now been, discredited, and for the sake of the reputation of the State and Australia generally it is to be hoped that this means the end of Langism.

The Forgan Smith Labour Government in Queensland was again returned because it had a reasonable policy. Its record of achievement has been a clean one, and it has never descended to the methods adopted by the Lang regime. The results of the two elections go to prove that the average elector is willing to listen to Labour provided it has a sound and workable policy, but when promises are made impossible of fulfilment the people are too well versed in economics to-day to listen to wild statements.