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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 72

Labour Leaders in New Zealand and New South Wales

Labour Leaders in New Zealand and New South Wales.

In New South Wales the influence of the Trade Unions at the election was not less marked. About thirty members were sent to the Legislature of that Colony at an extraordinary small expenditure of money. Though there was an abundance of candidates the discipline of the Labour party checked individual ambition. Nominations were unlimited, but the candidate was chosen by ballot, and the decision of the ballot scrupulously respected. Nowhere did Labour candidates run against each other.

Unlike their brethren of New Zealand they did not, however, choose a leader outside their ranks from among those possessing parliamentary experience, nor were they able to select one man page 13 from their own body. Under a divided leadership they endeavoured by holding themselves aloof from both parties to wield the balance of power. Coalitions between sections of the other parties in Parliament, however, foiled them in this attempt, and they have never succeeded in imposing their will upon any Government in New South Wales.