SIGNIFICANT POLLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21049, 7 December 1931, Page 8

SIGNIFICANT POLLING.

The municipal and shire council elections in New South Wales have resulted in a practically complete rout of Labour. Two facts give significance to this. One is the established policy of Labour, throughout the State, to carry the party-political campaign into local elections; the other is the synchronising of the Federal contests with these elections. These results suggest that the tide has not merely turned against Labour but has already gathered way. What would have happened in the metropolitan area, where polling has been postponed by the Labour Government of the Stale, is a matter for conjecture. It is probable, however, that the sins of Labour administration there will be sufficiently remembered to ensure strong opposition to its candidates when the opportunity is given. The likelihood of- a heavy defeat of Labour at the Federal polls in New South Wales is certainly strengthened by these results, as they show Scullin and Lang candidates to have been equally unpopular. If it is so definitely said, by local votes on a franchise virtually as wide as that of the Federal polls, that Labour councillors are not wanted, there is a promising prospect that the larger responsibilities of the Commonwealth will not be entrusted to this party, no matter what particular leader the Labour candidates arc prepared to follow.