In the General Election in Australia Mr. Bruee's Nationalist Party
has lost several seats, as was expected, but has not lost too many. The Nationalist Party and the Labour Party now have roughly thirty seats each. The Country Party, however, which helps to form the Coalition Government, has thirteen seats. Mr. Bruce has lost his majority over all other Parties, but his alliance with the Country Party gives him a working majority of thirteen. It is evident that the recent Labour troubles did not drive the country into such a state of apprehension as caused the landslide for Mr. Bruce- in '1925. A very interesting, and really' the most important, event 'at the elections was the Referendum which authorized Mr. Bruce to reform the financial relations between the Federal Government and the States. This means another stage in the steadily growing power of the Central Executive over the States. It is not to be regretted ; the credit of Australia is not altogether secure when handled piecemeal by the States. Perhaps the destiny of the Commonwealth is to become a political structure not much unlike the Union of South Africa.
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