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BOOTHBY
VITAL ELECTION
May Decide Fate of
Government
The Leader of the Opposi-
tion (Mr. Curtin) said yester-
day that if Labour won the
Boothby by-election the Gov-
ernment would be expected to
resign.
Mr. Curtin, who was commenting
on the effects of the New South
Wales election, said that a victory in
Boothby would be a complete vindica-
tion of Labour's programme through-
out Australia.
"If the Government cannot hold
Boothby in the light of all that has
happened since the general election
last September, they can take it as
the decision of the people," said "Mr.
Curtin. "A Labour win will repre-
sent the people's preference for
Labour as against any other adminis-
tration."
A victory by Labour in Boothby
would make the state of the parties
in the Parliament: Labour 37, U.A.P.-
U.C.P. 35, and Independent 2. Mr.
Wilson would probably provide the
key to the situation in the event of
a vital vote.
Mr. Curtin declined yesterday to
predict possible Labour tactics if the
Government sought to maintain office
after a defeat in Boothby.
Labour circles regard the result of
the New South Wales election us im-
portant, not only from a purely poli-
tical viewpoint, but also because of
the increased preponderance of Lab-
our influence at Loan Council meet-
ings and Premiers' conferences.
Mr. Curtin will broadcast an appeal
to the Boothby electors over the na-
tional stations on the night of May
21.
College Principal to
Nominate
ADELAIDE, Monday.
Dr. A. E. Grenfell, principal of
St. Mark's College, Adelaide, to-
day won the Liberal and Country
League ballot for the selection of a
candidate to contest the Boothby
seat.
Among the aspirants for the seat
is Sir Richard Butler, ex-State Pre-
mier, whose supporters urge he
should still stand as a candidate.
The Labour nominee is Mr. T. E.
Lawton, a well known industrialist.
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