The Northern Advocate "NORTHLAND FIRST" Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper. MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 1943. MR. CURTIN’S TRIUMPH.

Northern Advocate, 23 August 1943, Page 2

The Northern Advocate "NORTHLAND FIRST" Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper. MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 1943. MR. CURTIN’S TRIUMPH.

THE Federal elections held in Australia on Saturday resulted in a sensational landslide, the Labour Government led by Mr. Curtin being: given a majority which will make it independent of other parties in the new Parliament. Mr. Curtin should be a happy man, for the result of the elections is unanimously regarded as a triumph for his personal popularity. He surely "has cause for self-congratulation. Taking his courage in his hands, he went to the people for the freedom of action denied him in Parliament, where his political life was in the pocket of an Independent, who could make or break the Government. This was a state of things which should not have been when unprecedented strain of war threatened (he very existence of Australians as a free people.

The proceedings of the Federal Parliament were marred by many controversies not creditable in the existing circumstances, and. regrettable as the holding of an election in wartime undoubtedly is, there was no option in the ease ot the Federal Government.

It is fair to assume that opportunism played no little part in the decision of the Government to go to the country, for, as the results of the election have suggested, it evidently sensed the mind of the Australian people. Be that as it may, the electors have shown beyond nossibility of mistake l heir belief that a strong and stable Government is required both for lighting the war to a successful conclusion and. for evolving plans which will contribute to the establishment of lasting world peace. The people of Australia have spoken, and the minority element will doubtless do as all democratic individuals should do: throw their energies into the promotion of all that is best for their country and for the Empire. This is a path studded with obstacles. The war has transformed Australia’s industrial and manufacturing outlook, as it has done in respect of New Zealand and other units of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and, apart altogether from the question of defence, the solution of post-war Empire and international trading problems will be perlexing, especially it the principles of the Pacific Charter are to be translated into practice. According to reports, the result of the election exceeded the Labour Party’s most optimistic expectations. That is to be accepted, despite the party’s realisation that Mr. Curtin s popularity constituted a remarkable asset. Probably, the disfavour with which Independents were regarded contributed to the size of the Government’s majority. It is noteworthy that though Independents entered more than half the contests throughout the Commonwealth they were flatly rejected. It is also noteworthy in this connection that one of the two Independents who controlled the last Parliament was re-elected by a large margin. This was Mr- Wilson, the Victorian member, who supported the Government in crucial divisions. On the other hand, Mr. Coles, the Independent who voted against Mr. Curtin when the latter moved that Australian troops other than volunteers should bo liable for service outside the shores of the Commonwealth, may be badly beaten. Ibis may bo taken .as indicative of the determination of .the Australian people to give maximum support to the United Nations war effort in trie Pacific, and, if necessary, further afield. Communism evidently makes small appeal to the Australian electors when they have to give more than vocal support to the doctrine, for Communist candidates had polled only db,ooo votes out of 2,280,000 votes counted up to yesterday. Social legislation no doubt played its part in the success achieved by Mr. Curtin, but there is little doubt that the need for concentration upon Australia’s war effort was t he dominating issue of the election. The Labour Party went to the polls a solid body, whereas the Opposition suffered the very serious disability oi divided counsels. The Opposition leader was not popular with sections of the anti-Labour parties’, and, as a consequence, was unable to secure the cohesion required when facing a powerful adversary. As the election campaign proceeded, it became clearer day by day that the hopes of securing a United Government were. receding. At the same time, there were doubtless few who anticipated a victory such as Mr. Curtin and his Government have gained. That; they may succeed in furthering the cause of toe United Nations in a manner consistent with their strength will be the universal wish.