ELECTION SURPRISES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21469, 18 April 1933, Page 14

ELECTION SURPRISES

POLLS IN AUSTRALIA TWO GOVERNMENTS DEFEATED PREMIER LOSES HIS SEAT [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY, April 13 That strange trait in the character of the Australian electors which urges them to dismiss the government was exemplified in two States on Saturday— South Australia and Western Australia. In practically all the States for years now tho Government has alternated between Labour and non-Labour. Queensland at tho last elections dismissed a Nationalist Government and substituted Labour. New South Wales dismissed Labour and substituted Nationalists, now known as the United-Australia , Party. Now South Australia has dismissed a Labour Government and Western Australia has dismissed a nonLabour Government. In tho caso of tho last two States mentioned tho result has littlo significance from an Australian national point of view. Tho Labour Government which has gone out in South Australia was quite a mild party as Labour in Australia goes, and tho Labour Government which has taken control in Western Australia can bo depended upon not to enact extreme legislation. Tho famous Premiers' Plan, upon which tho remarkable recovery of Australia' is founded, is not imperilled in any way. Australia will go on its way to balance budgets and the Federal Government is unlikely to bo embarrassed by tho changes which tho electors, in their judgment, have seen fit to make. Various Side Issues Tho defeat of tho Government in Western Australia came as a distinct surprise to tho rest of the Commonwealth, especially as tho. people had shown such overwhelming support of secession, for which the Government followers had fought so hard. As a matter of fact, the secession issue appeared to overshadow all others, but it is apparent now that various side issues, scarcely prominent during the campaign, had played their part. Local and sectional influences it would seem were of greater significance than generally imagined. The general stagnation of business during tho depression has hit Western Australia very hard, and it would be surprising if the Government did not receive more than its share of the blame. It is difficult to account for the defeat of the Western Australian Government, but it is quite evident that it suffered through tho recent imposition of an increase of the wages tax by 4£d in the £l. Tho original tax was lid. This legislation probably accounted for the defeat of the Premier after his 28 years' service for the State, two of his Ministers and five of liis other followers. Another matter that seems to have accounted for the defeat was the recent suppression of newspaper crossword competitions, affecting weekly newspapers. This fomented strong opposition to the Minister of Police, Mr. Scaddan, who sponsored tho measure, and to Mr. Mann, who is a member of the Lotteries Commission appointed by Mr. Scaddan to conduct lotteries. The suppression of crossword competitions was effected by the Lotteries Bill. Public meetings directed against this action damaged the chances of many of tho Government candidates. Labour's victory came as a shock even to tho Labour Party. The new Premier, Mr. Philip Collier, has been Premier before, and his policy ii\ well known as that of a very moderate Labour man, with a keen eye for the rural and agrarian interests. He is certainly not likely to defy tho Loan Council, as did Mr. Lang, and so bring disaster on his State. During the campaign Mr. Collier promised to appoint a Minister of Employment and to provide full-timo relief work, creating the necessary credit by establishing a Government rural bank. He attacked the increased wages tax and promised that with Labour in power there would bo no reduction in wages. South Australian Polls So severe was tho defeat of the Government party in South Australia that it will occupy only a. small cross bench in the new House. Before the election the Parliamentary Labour Party, which formed a Government, and which was distinct from other branches of the Labour Party with which it had had serious differences, was 20 strong. In the new Parliament the party will have four followers only. The Liberal and Country League, a combination of Nationalists .and thg Country Party, will form the new Government, tho number of its followers having been increased from 15 to 28. The Lang Labour Party contested many seats in opposition to other branches of the Labour Party, and succeeded in having three men returned. In the old House it had but one representative. The Premier-elect, Mr. It. L. Butler, has been Premier before, and Australia has reason for showing every confidence in him. The result means the endorsement by tho people of South Australia of a policy having as its basis the continuance of the Premiers' Plan. The various rifts in its party probably accounted for the defeat of tho Labour Government. Tho main policy of the new Government will be directed toward assisting a revival of industry, and owing to its strong country flavoiy it is certain that tho interests of those on the land will not be overlooked. Mr. Butler, whose father, Sir Richard Butler, was onco Premier of South Australia, will have an absolute majority over the five other parties.