QUEENSLAND ELECTIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20464, 2 April 1938, Page 6

QUEENSLAND ELECTIONS

When the electors in Queensland go to the poll to-day three State elections will have been held in Australia in a few weeks. In South Australia the most interesting development was the return of a sufficient number of Independents to hold the balance of power —if they acted and voted as a group. There are more Independents in the South Australian Parliament than there are Labour members but, having no organisation, they could not form an official opposition. The results, however, may be of exceptional interest because procedure may be varied to some extent and all members may be able to enjoy a greater measure of freedom on all matters not regarded as involving the fate of the Government. In New South Wales the position, as a result of the election, was virtually unchanged. The Stevens Government was returned to power with a substantial majority and the State is assured of a further period of stable administration. The Government has adjusted its financial policy so as to lighten the burden of taxation and it is said that the reductions since it came into office, would exceed £43,000,000. This was done in order to encourage industrial development and, in turn, that has enabled the number of unemployed to be reduced rapidly. Instead of increasing State activities the Government concentrated on creating the conditions favourable to the extension and the encouragement of private enterprise, with the result that the Budget has been balanced and confidence restored. The Labour Government in Queensland, led by Mr W. Forgan Smith, has not been of an extremist kind. People who met the Queensland Premier when he visited New Zealand some years ago, formed the opinion that his views were more Liberal than Socialist. Unlike his neighbour to the south he has not been able to lighten taxation or produce balanced Budgets. Promises have been made that, if returned to office, he will make some tax cuts, but performance rather than promise would probably have made a much more effective appeal to many voters. Apparently in Queensland, as in New South Wales, there has been a split in the Labour ranks so that a great deal will depend upon the way the preference votes are exercised. If the opposing factions should refuse any compromise and make an opposition candidate their second choice it may affect the results. The Government now has a very large majority, but that is not always an Advantage in an election campaign.