In my last letter I mentioned the victory of Labour in Western Australia in the elections for the Legis: lative Assembly. That victory. was largely attributable to the general disgust and confusion caused creation of many different parties, each representing some slight shade of difference in its outlook. Labour went boldly to the polls, declaring,—"we are in favour of social lization, and we all think the same, and our party is solid." Tt naturally won, Now in South Australia the same factors have created the same results. 'There are 46 members in the Assembly, and given all doubtful seats the "Barwell (Liberal) government will have 21 supporters, Labour will have 25, and there will' be two members. representing the remnant of the Country party. Labour will into office and any about a majority wi by buying a member or to, with one or other of the various remonerative jobs which are. disposal of the majo not libelling Labour: recognition of its common practice, Tt has only to persuade Barwell follower to be Speaker and it is fely in office for the next three years. But Labour's recuperative Power is not solely due to Labour merits. Sir Henry Barwell and friends were busily engaged in December, 1922, in driving out of the Federal parliament those followers of Mr. Hughes, who had. once been Labourites, and they were successful. The Nationalist voters, who had followed Hughes, natural: ly went back to the Labour camp, and at the late election voted Labour once again. It was the obvious and certain thing to happen, and sane and progressive govern: ment suffers in consequence. It must be admitted that Labour in, South Australia has hitherto been of the modest and moderate variety, but the advent to office of Labour in three States—Tasmania, Western and South Australia—during the last few weeks, and the general feeling that Labour will soon regain, power in the Commonwealth par-Tiament is causing the quidnuncs some anxiety.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.