QUEENSLAND PROSPECTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19597, 31 March 1938, Page 5

QUEENSLAND PROSPECTS

LABOUR’S MAJORITY REDUCTION LIKELY BRISBANE, March 30. It is -generally agreed that the Queensland Labour Government will lose seats in Saturday’s election, but the present majority of 30 in a Parliament of 62 means, that only a landslide exceeding that of 1929 is likely to depose of Mr. W. Forgan Smith’s Ministry. The two Opposition parties, Country and. United Australia, working separately but amicably, have offered policies based on cuts in taxation much exceeding the 'best Labour promises. Evidence is not lacking that Mr. Forgan Smith ,is definitely on the defensive, and the Opposition are driving home the advantage in one of the most intensive campaigns in the State’s history. The introduction of an openly sectarian issue has added to the Premier s task. There are fears in some quarters that the Communists may gain a seat or -two in the north, but the Country Party discounts -this with particularly optimistic reports in this area. Social Credit, which is stronger in this State than anywhere in the Commonwealth, is not given much chance of winning seats, (but the presence Of candidates may lead to some upsets with split votes. It is expected that the gains the Labour Party achieved in 1935 will definitely be lost, with a possible reversion of 'the Opposition of some other seats lost in 1930. A close analysis, allowing at least 25 doubtful divisions, indicates the possible new Parliament -as 33 Labour and 29 Country Party and United Australia Party, against 46 and 16 at present.