The Australian Elections Three years ago Mr. Lyons, leader of
the United Aus- tralia Party, secured a victory at the polls comparable with that which returned our own National Government. The issue has now again been put to the test and the verdict shows that Australia still pins its faith to a policy of honest finance and balanced budgets. Mr. Lyons' party, having lost a few seats, is still nearly twice as strong as any other, but no longer enjoys its independent majority ; it is safe, however, with the Country Party backing it on major issues. Both sections of Labour have made small gains, as was to be expected in view of their reverses three years ago ; but the number of members in Mr. Lang's section, whose adventure towards debt repudiation in New South Wales will not soon be forgotten, does not run into double figures. The high Protectionism of the United Australia Party, which had an unfortunate issue in the recent increases in the cotton tariff, may be modified by the influence of the Country Party ; and if that is so Mr. Lyons' failure to secure an independent majority may turn out an advantage to Australia and the Empire. *. *
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