POLITICS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15716, 8 September 1911, Page 6

POLITICS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

The brief cable message published to-day which states that the election to be held next month in Western Australia will bo fought on tho question of land nationalisation requires some explanation. The goal at which tho Labour Party in tho State is aiming is not land nationalisation as wo understand it, but simply the stoppage of the sale of Crown lands. The party is pledged to tho principle of non-aliena-tion, but its representatives in tlio present election campaign have been explaining that if they are successful at the polls and are enabled to turn the Liberal Government out of oflico they will not interfere with existing contracts.- They have chosen to rf clothe their policy in a description which is some sizes too large for it, but of courso their little mistake docs not affect tho excellence of their aspirations. The ministerial policy is a freehold policy. Western Australia is making rapid progress, and tho Government is putting forth vigorous efforts to promote immigration and settlement. In tho opinion of the 'Cabinet, as expressed, a few days ago by tbo Premier, Mr Frank Wilson, tho adoption of a leasehold system would put an end to settlement and the prosperity of the State. It is tlio tenure isstio naturally which effects tho cleavago between tho two parties. The Liberal Government has been pursuing a progressive policy with considerable success, and the Premier has outlined an attractive programme, which should increase tbo prosperity of tho Stato if Mr Wilson and his colleagues are returned to power. Probably they will Imvo to moot stronger opposition than that which Sir Newton Mooro overcame threo years ago. At tho Federal referendum polls last April Western Australia gained distinction as tho only Stato that favoured tho proposals, a block Labour vote in tho goldfields districts outweighing tbo opposition in tlio agricultural and coastal areas. Split up among the electorates the Labour majority of the State may not

be ablo to secure tbo representation to which it would be entitled under an oquitable electoral system, but it is probable that the close of the strenuous campaign which is proceeding at piesent will be an exciting election.