The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1927. N.S.W. ELECTIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17223, 5 October 1927, Page 6

The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1927. N.S.W. ELECTIONS.

On Saturday the elections in New South Wales will take place. Keen interest is heing manifested in the result, as well as much bitterness. The rift in the Labour ranks, caused by the autocratic methods of Mr Lang and his lieutenant, Mr Willis, has added much fuel to the ilamcs. The outcome is difficult to forecast.

Presumably, the self-constituted official Labour Party is putting some real Red vim into the contest. The i remier is arrogance personified. "Here on this platform," said Mr Lang in a recent speech, "I can talk and talk, but it docs not bind me a snap of the fingers to any promise I may make." Seldom do politicians become so outspoken. He was franker than most politicians on the eve of an election — franker, indeed, than he intended to be. Of course, Mr Lang hastened to qualify his confession, but the statement, as it stands, provides an excellent summing up of the value of political promises in general, and Mr Lang's case in particular. In view of the mischievous nature of the Premier's work politically it is rather amusing to read that "the Government is alive to the necessities of present day conditions." If such were the case Mr Lang would surely have sought to encourage private enterprise and goodwill between employer and employee. It is" also something of a comedy to learn that Mr Lang declares that "Labour is under no domination but the domination of the electors," and that "talk of Bolshevism and Reds is simply dust thrown in the eyes of the unwary and unthinking." If' Mr Lang has been held up as a "black sheep" politically without any justification, why is it that so many Labour followers, some of them leaders in the movement, have deserted him?

Mr Lang indicated that, if returned, his party would continue its industrial and so-called humanitarian legislation, completing work already begun during the last Administration, and beginning fresh methods of assistance. He said that he would extend the benefits of the widows' pensions and family endowment schemes. But more interesting was Mr Lang's plan to aid the rural communities, for upon the retention of the country vote of the last elections depends Mr Lang's chances of surviving the electors' axe. He said he would bring forward comprehensive schemes for the development of primary industries. These included assistance to the dairying industry, fodder conservation, the increase of taxation on large estates to encourage closer settlement, at least two large new irrigation schemes, and the establishment of country wireless stations. ' There is unfortunately little reliance to be placed in Mr Lang's politicU promises. That was the root cause of the former upheaval, and there is little reason to hope that he has yet seen the error of his ways. He says his talk does not bind him in any promises he makes. Mr Lang is quite free to talk, presumably, but when his mental meandcrings have to be translated into legislative reality, Mr Lang is no longer a talker; indeed, he is not a free agent, since he is in a worse position, as far as honouring his political promises is concerned, than most other leaders He must do as the dominating spirits who are backing him, say. With the best will in the world to honour them, he has first to obtain the sanction of Mr Garden, Mr Willis, Mr Seale, Mr McPhedran, and Mr Emil Voight. Some or these gentlemen formerly belonged to the Communist Party, and as their avowed purpose has been to turn the Constitution upside down and remake it nearer to the Red desire, it may be doubted whether any reasonable constitutional promise made by the Premier has any chance of translation into action.

Mr Bavin, leader of the National Party, has stated that the first duty cf the party, if returned to power, would

be to rehabilitate Parliament. In this

connection he takes a view pn different lines to Mr Lang. He does not seek la alter the Constitution by abolishing the Upper House, but rather to reform it. He proposes that the Legislative Council should be on r2 elective basis, but not a mere replica of the Assembly, and that there should be adequate representation of rural interests. Mr Bavin's sp/Jch coniaincd much of a buildingup nature, and development of public works in the country parts in the shape of railways,- better roads, and the provision of feeder roads occupied a prominent place. The present Government, he pointed out, had declined to become a party to the migration agreement with the Federal Government, thereby losing the possibility of obtaining a large amount of loan money for development works at a very low rate of interest, The defeat of the Labo;ir Government will mean that Mr Bavin and those associated with him will take steps to obtain for New South Wales the benefits'of this agreement. He also reminded the electors that the fundamental condition of any effort to lower the cost of living is the restoration of efficient economical government, the reduction of taxation and the removal of unnecessary restriction on the development of wealth - producing enterprise. The Country Party is concentrating on the man on the land. Mr Burtenshaw, in his policy speech neglected the metropolitan area entirely. Thus schemes to foster irrigation, water conservation, and decentralisation, to open up new ports for oversea steamers, to hydro-electric power, and the removal of rural industries from the Arbitration Court were in the forefront of his policy, whereas they were supplementary in the other policies. The two non-Labour parties are operating under a pact at this election, and there will be no unnecessary splitting of votes. This foreshadows a Coalition Government in the event of their success. Labour is thus at a great disadvantage, in its campaign, whilst the Nationalist, and Country parties are working in unison. As stated, the result of the election is difficult to predict, but there is little question that the split in the Labour Party makes Mr Lang's hold upon the Treasury Benches very precarious.