The Northern Advocate Daily “Northland First.” MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1937. POLITICS IN AUSTRALIA

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1937, Page 4

The Northern Advocate Daily “Northland First.”

MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1937. POLITICS IN AUSTRALIA

Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper.

j Australia is experiencing the j throes of general elections. The j Federal elect ion was launched some ten days ago in West Australia, when the Leader of the Federal Labour Party, Mr Curtin, tired- the first shot. Mi- Lyons, the Prime Minister, has now opened the Government’s campaign, and the. next three weeks may be expected to ho productive of much political excitement. The decision of the Victorian Government to go to the people almost simultaneously with the opening of tlie Federal elections was a tactical move which has been the subject of considerable comment and speculation. The political situation in Victoria has been decidedly interesting. Though Labour was unseated in some States, it has held the balance of power in Victoria, for the Country Party lias boon dependent upon its support in order to retain office. Victoria has therefore witnessed a manifestation of the old argument that it is often better to hold the rudder lines than the oars, for while Labour did not appear as the propelling force, the Cabinet was obliged to do only those things of which Labour approved. Herein lies the danger of a Parliament in which there are more than two dominant parties. In the last Parlia-

| ment, the United Australia Party 5 Was the strongest individual party, holding 24- seats, as against 20 by the Country Party and 18 by the Labour Party, with three Independents. In the manoeuvring of forces, the Country Party secured the alliance of Labour. Now, as a result of the general elections. Labour lias obtained 22 seats, a gain of four, tlie Country Parly lias 1.9. a loss of one, and the United Australia Party has 21, a loss of three, while it: is justpossible that another will prove to have been lost when the final figures arc obtainable. All the Cabinet Ministers have been re-

turned, as well as the party leaders. It will be interesting to observe the use which the Federal Government and the Federal Labour Party will make of the result of the Victorian elections. It is evident that the Federal contest, to be held on October 23, will he of an exciting nature. There are 200 nominations for 75 seats. This may complicate the issue. It is noteworthy that Labour is contesting every seat in New South Wales, the decision of which, after its experience of the previous Labour Government, will be awaited with the keenest interest.