VICTORIAN BY-ELECTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22099, 1 November 1933, Page 14

VICTORIAN BY-ELECTIONS

KEEN PUBLIC INTEREST,

(From Odr Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, October 19.

Two by-elections that will take place shortly in Victoria are arousing keen public interest, not because of the important bearing they are likely to have on the political situation, but on account of the interesting personalities among the candidates. One by-election has been caused by the retirement of Mr S. M. Bruce from the Flinders seat on his appointment as High Commissioner, and the other by the death of Sir Alexander Peacock, three times Premier of Victoria and finally Speaker of the Victorian Assembly.

Until the defeat of Mr Bruce at the elections at which Mr Scullin led the Labour Party to victory, the Flinders seat was regarded as a safe one for the Nationalists and their allies. At the last election Mr Bruce had the satisfaction of turning the tables on Ills opponent, and there are many to-day who sincerely regret his retirement from active politics. The Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) has been at some pains to explain his attitude, and -has insisted that the idea of a resident Minister in London was dangerous constitutionally, for it did away with the collective responsibility of the Ministry. During the present by-election campaign the banner of the United Australia Party is heihg carried by Mr J. V- Fairbairn, who has resigned from the Victorian Assembly to permit of: his entry, should the electors agree, into Federal politics. Mr Fairbairn is one of the most promising of the younger school of Australian politicians, and his parliamentary experience goes back only 18 months. He has represented Warrnambool and was reluctant to resign that seat, and did so only at the express wish of the party leaders. During the war he distinguished himself with the Royal Flying Corps. He took part in a number of aerial encounters over the enemy lines in France, and on one occasion tackled the famous Richthofen single handed. Before he came down wounded he accounted for more than one German plane. He remained a prisoner in Germany for 14 months, and for four years he suffered severely from war injuries, undergoing many operations. During the last Federal election he toured his big electorate in a‘n aeroplane. Lady Peacock’s decision to contest the seat held by her late husband has met with widespread approval. It will be a new experience for Victoria if a woman is elected to the Assembly. It is noteworthy that Sir Alexander received the whole-hearted support of his wife throughout his long political career, and his wife was often his chief adviser. Lady Peacock is held in the highest esteem by people of every shade of political thought, and the Country Party, in recognition of her fine services in association with Sir Alexander, has decided not to nominate a candidate. Sir Alexander’s last majority \v,as more than 2000, and it is not anticipated that Lady Peacock will have any difficulty in securing election against a Labour candidate.