The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1907. THE VICTORIAN ELECTIONS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13237, 18 March 1907, Page 4

The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1907. THE VICTORIAN ELECTIONS.

Our messages thin morning announce that the general election in Victoria, was the quietest in the history, of (ho State, anil that tiio Bent Ministry • litvve been returned to powtr. by a sub*ta«litil majority.. Jn well inforined circles in Victoria ' this .v result was anticipated; and the Melbourne "Argns,*' writing more than ft'week ago. rtmarked that 'Scarcely ever did ii general election hi Victoria excite les< public l«lcresl.'V The Labour Parly, or, Opposition' as the cable .message bus weakened so.mnch'',thul- (bey, coubl only put forward candidates, for 35 ouf. of 65 seats. The Labour Party had alien:Ued support by sehpines of revolution that were for the most, part- foolteh, and the polling proves that; a renewal of power to the. present Ministry" is' preferred to allowing theorists to by experiments in Ike JStaie. '1 he. issues, of the election,,■ were not. prominent enough to cause enthusiasm among the masses. That, for inrdance, relatingto the question of a, referendum respecting Scripture lessons in State schools, was so obscure on.many .points thtvt the electow as, a whole did not knew what they were voting upon. Oilier really important issues related to licensing'.and Hit; gambling law, tluV exluemists having )>pcn allowed 100 much sway in 'regard In: the latter. What? are known as the moderate electors had much resented this,, and the "Argils" says that "if the Opposition wei;e"■«,' larger and more: acceptable body ilie j'eslilt ."of tht> swing over ,of the moderates: might hiivo a most serious efTecU' 1 Evidently it. did not: and the Labour Party in Victoria to-day has received One of fhe severest' setbacks in the '■history of the colonies.