E.G. Theodore's Defeat

NZ Truth, Issue 1044, 28 November 1925, Page 6

E.G. Theodore's Defeat

The defeat of E. G. Theodore, ex-Premier of the sun-scorched State that" history designated Queensland, for a seat m the Federal House of Representatives, recalls his action as arbitrator m the famous case of the ballot boxe3 with sliding panels, used m a Labor pre-selection ballot m Australia. ■-■■)■ AT the invitation of a Federal Conference of Labor, which met m Melbourne about December, ,1924, Theodore very unwisely, accepted the thankless job. His decision was to be accepted as final m the case of Messrs. Bayley, Bramston, Buckley and Sutherland, the men expelled from the Labor movement for alleged complicity m the fake boxes. Matters appeared to be going swimmingly for the total exoneration of John Bayley (president of the Central Executive of the Australian Workers' Union) and company, and it was even stated openly that the. whole affair was merely for the purpose of whitewashing them. The arbitrator gave this a public denial. Far from being a white-wash, his decision was' a bombshell to the A.W.U. section. One man only was" exonerated. The decision, of course, was not accepted. The feud blazed more fiercely than ever. The prophecy came from high officials m the powerful A.W.U. organisation that ID. G. Theodore Avould not havo A.W.U. support 'm the Federal election for the Herbert seat and would be defeated. - He was! " ;