NEW SOUTH WALES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3714, 19 May 1925, Page 31

NEW SOUTH WALES.

SYDNEY, May S. New South Wales is at tlio moment in (he throes of a general election campaign. If there was nothing showy or spectacular about Sir George Fuller’s policy speech it was at least full of substantial matter, and especially commended itself lo tho bulk of the community, even those who are in the Labour camp, in its promise of a further reduction of taxation, for taxes aro {something that even the working men oil good wages has to pay. The Premier’s policy speech, unlike many such utterances, was marked by a complete absence of personalities. To quote one of tbo newspapers, “It was tlio speech of a gentleman,' and if all the other candidate.) only follow the Premier’s lead in this respect—which, of course, they are not likely to do—the electors will be able to go to the poll with a tolerably clear Idea of tho respective merits of the three parties, an-1 iintramelled by the political vitriol which usually seems to be bottled up for an election campaign. Sir George Fuller demonstrated in his policy speech that politeness, even in politics, can be perfectly compatible with a logical case. Sir George made only one departure from a statement of the Government’s case, an 1 (hat was to offer a strong rebuke to the Labour party for its toleration of extremists within its ranks, and they are unquestionably there, aud in strong force, no matter how they may be repudiated by the moderate element in the Labour Party. The Premier and his party will feel the 'oss of Mr C. W. Oakes, Chief Secretary, who is retiring from politics on account of ill-health, and who, as an old campaigner. has been a pillar of strength to the Nationalists inside the House and out of it. Air Oakes will probably lie elevated to the Legislative Council, and, if -he State ban on honours can be overcome, it is highly likely that lie will be knighted at the first opportunity. Nearly 300 candidates are urging upon the electors the desirableness of returning them to Parliament. The parties to which all these candidates have sworn allegiance are almost..bewildering in their variety. The old days when “Lib.” “Lab.,” and “Ind.” were considered sufficient to express the political beliefs of parliamentary aspirants are gone. In the field are straight-out Nationalists, Labour, and Progressive candidates, ns well as Protestant Nationalists, Independent Nationalists, LiP.opendeut Progressives, Independenc Labour cnndilates, a Young Australia Parly, under the banner of the picturesque Mr Greg APGirr, the Majority Labour Tarty, and what not. The Stute executive of the Official Labour Party, by a clever move has protected Labour candidates from tho embarrassment of awkward questions, for it has definitely prohibited them from answering questions which require them to give n promise or pledge to carry out, if returned, certain policies or reforms. Of course, if all party organisations put an embargo like this into force the whole of the 300 candidates might become mere or less dumb. Of the four women candidates, Miss Preston Stanley, who is standing for Eastern Suburbs, is the best known. Miss Stanley is one of the Quest platform sptakers in the State, and blenle with this gift a striking personality. If Miss Stanley get a into Parliament the

alleged weaker sex will have a very poweev ful spokeswoman.