AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20323, 3 February 1928, Page 12

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

ELECTION PROSPECTS. DEMAND FOE NEW BLOOD, (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, January 26. In the belief that the Federal Government may precipitate an early election, Labour in New South Wales is quietly mobilising its forces for the big struggle for political supremacy. It recognises that its chance of success lies, not only in the repudiation of the Reds, but also in a new leadership, and' in new and younger blood in its ranks. The position, as far as the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr Matthew Charlton) is concerned, is a delicate one. While his honesty and sincerity of purpose, and solid service to the movement, are freely recognised, it is generally felt that it will require someone of more magnetic per sonality 'to carry Labour banner’s into the wilderness and emerge from it trium pliant. For that reason Mr Charlton’s resignation as leader' would ; accepted with regret, but with alacrity at least by a section of the Parliamentary Party ‘and b the Trades Hall group. Not only in the Labour Party, but in all parties there are veterans who, it is felt, ought gracefully to retire, and make way for men younger, more active, and more effective in debate. Whether fh.'-e will be a move to supplant them in the selection ballets, or whether they will of their own volition accept the position that the divine right applies only to kings, and not to political seats which they may have come to be regarded as a life inheritance remains to be seen. The only youthful political organisation in New Couth Wales to-day is the Constitutional Association, whose members, most of them associated with the caw, are all young men. Antagonistic obviously to the exertme element, and with many effective speakers in its ranks, it is likely to make itself felt at the Federal election.

Labour generally feels that its hope lies in a big measure in Mr Theodore as leader, but since Mr Charlton not likely to resign its wishes in that direction will probably not be realised.