VERDICT IN EAST SYDNEY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18822, 10 March 1931, Page 9

VERDICT IN EAST SYDNEY.

Lessons from the Polling. FIGHT FOR LANG PROPOSALS BEGINNING. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrlpn c (Received March 9, 8.55 p.m ) SYDNEY, March 9. At the declaration of the East Sydney poll to-day, the successful candidate (Mr Ward) declared that the fight for the Lang proposals was just beginning. “We shall carry it right through Australia,” he said. Triumph for Mr Lang. The success of Mr Ward is regarded in Labour circles as a personal triumph for Mr Lang, and a complete vindication of the State Labour Party’s repudiation policy. Supporters of Mr Theodore consider that the expulsion of the 15 Federal members who defied the State Executive, is enviable. Mr Ward’s victory will further strengthen Mr Lang’s position among the League and Unions. It is considered that the Lang faction will be in complete command of the forthcoming Metropolitan and Easter Conferences, which will decide the fate of Mr Theodore and his refractory colleagues. Mr Lang, in an interview, said the result of the East Sydney election will give new hope to Australia. It was the sound Australian spirit on which his policy was founded that gained Mr Ward his support. When the people of Australia were more fully informed of what the policy of New South Wales Labour movement means to Australia, they will endorse and support it even more heartily than the electors of East Sydney. “Mr Ward’s victory is an epochmaking one for Australia, because it means that within a few months the whole economic outlook of our Governments will be changed,”

Federal Leader’s Views. Commenting on the result, Mr Scullin said it could not be regarded as a declaration by the electors of East Sydney in favour of repudiation, but rather as a decision registered against the Nationalist Party, particularly in view of the fact of the censure motion launched against the Labour Government, and the boast made that the downfall of the Government was imminent. “I am sure an overwhelming majority of supporters who voted for Mr Ward believe in Australia doing everything possible to honour her obligations,” said Mr Theodore. “The result does not give a great deal of information to the principal parties concerned. It certainly does not throw much light on the solution of Australia’s problems.” Opposition View. Mr J. G. Latham (Leader of the Federal Opposition) said: “The figures show that even in what was regarded as a safe Labour seat, the policy of Mr Lang is strongly opposed by a very large number of electors.”