Labour Victory in Queensland

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 79, 4 April 1938, Page 7

Labour Victory in Queensland

Returned Without Loss of Strength EXCITING AND BITTER CAMPAIGN United Press Association— By Elec trio Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Sunday, 7.10 p.m. BRISBANE, April 2. Contrary to the expectations of most political observers Labour had an easy victory in to-day’s elections, being returned with a majority equal to that in the last Parliament. As a result of the introduction of the sectarian issue by the presence in the field of representatives of the Protestant Labour Party organised specially for this campaign the fight on this occasion was one of the most exciting on record. Because of the fact that the Protestant candidates were appealing also on a policy similar to Labour’s apart from the religious aspect it had been expected there would be a division of votes which would react against tho Government candidates. However, the returns to-day did not support this view. Rather did the presence of these candidates operate against the Opposition nominees. The figures at the close of the count to-night indicate that the position of the parties will be unaltered in the next Parliament. They are:— Labour, 46; Opposition, 16. The latter comprise 13 Country Party and three United Australia Party. Some few electorates are still apparently in doubt and the result may depend on the contingent voting which, however, is optional in this State and the allocation, if at all, is entirely unknown so it must be assumed that the candidates now leading in those electorates will hold the advantage and accordingly have been allocated in the estimate of pafty strengths in the House. The result was a complete anticlimax in one of the most bitter campaigns in the State’s history. The publicity was entirely unprecedented. Many meetings were marked by the fiercest party antagonism, developing on several occasions into open hostilities with more than one actual casualty. Mr. Forgan Smith, the Prime Minister, returns to the House to create a record for the longest term as Premier and leading a party constituting a majority equal to the State’s record, while he will have all his Ministers who have held office already for six years still with him. There are apparently no casualties among the Labour candidates. It will be Mr. Forgan Smith’s third term as Premier and he also holds the record for the longest ministerial service in this State. The twenty seats which before the election were regarded as doubtful have apparently all been retained by the Government candidates. LABOUR JUBILANT "REPLY TO MISCHIEF-MAKERS’’ Received Sunday, 11.25 p.m. BRISBANE, April 3. A difference of opinion still exists over the likely final state of the parties. In several electorates no candidate has an absolute majority. Some students professing to know declare that upsets are likely on the preferences. However, a close analysis o±

ae figures now available reveals little chance of the earlier calculations being upset with three possible exceptions. The United Australia Party must be conceded the chance of winning back Wynnum and the Country Party has high hopes of success at East Toowoomba, where the preferences of the Independent may cause Labour’s defeat. Another possible change is indicated at Kelvin Grove, where the fight is now between official Labour and Protestant Labour, with the United Australia man’s preferences to decide the issue.

Even if all these seats go against them, the Government stiil have a commanding majority of 43 to 19. Labour, of course, is jubilant. The Premier, Mr. Forgan Smith, said: "It is a magnificent victory for sane, sound Government and a complete reply to those who endeavoured to turn the electorate into an auction mart, where the Government would be knocked down to the highest bidder. It is also an excellent reply to professional mischief makers, who sought to divide the people on matters purely personal.” The Opposition leader, Mr. Maher, found comfort from the fact that the total Country Party vote increased, while that of Labour decreased. He also has not lost hope of further party gains.

Similarly, Mr. Russell, the United Australia Party leader, is optimistic of his following being stronger. No party leader offered comment on the surprisingly large vote of Protestant Labour.