FEDERAL POLITICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22620, 7 January 1937, Page 6

FEDERAL POLITICS

FUTURE OUTLOOK ELECTION THIS YEAR BUSY TIME FOR MINISTERS ). [FROM OUR OWN* CORRESPONDENT] SYD.VKY, Dec. 3i The Federal Cabinet has approached 1037 with a variety of important problems to be solved. The year will be important for private members, as well as Ministers. A general election will be held late in the year, and party organisations will marshal their forces months before. The year will open with the referendum campaign, which is not likely to be spectacular. According to competent authorities, a victory for the Government on the aviation issue .and a loss on the marketing control question may hp expected. Empire Mail Scheme Soon after the holidays the Cabinet will meet to consider several major problems, including the Empire air mail scheme and additional trade treaties with foreign countries. Air mail negotiations have been slow, and the Cabinet has demanded considerable modification of the original British proposals. The basic principles have now been accepted, and an announcement is probable during the next series of Cabinet meetings. Technical details have been responsible for much of the recent delay. Parliament will be summoned for a short session after the Referendum in March. A long winter recess will covei the period of the Coronation and the Imperial Conference. Ministers electee! to attend the, conference will have si particularly busy year, as they will have to leave immediately after'the referendum campaign, carrying out a strenuous programme in London, and return immediately after the imperial Conference to attend the Budget session at Canberra and subsequently to take part in the election campaign. Labour Party Breaches The Government will go to the country convinced that its record since 1934 will ensure its return. A naturfil swing, which is inevitable when a party has been in power for many years, may give tiie Opposition a few gains in doubtful electorates, but Ministerial supporters are confident that the Government will retain a substantial majority. Labour will have to heal several serious breaches before it can face the people as a united party. Nominally unity has been achieved between the Lang followers in New South Wales ami the Federal Labour wing, but there has been ample evidence lately to indicate that caucus opinion is divided and the opposing groups are not finding it eauy j to work in unison.