VICTORIAN POLL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 134, 18 March 1940, Page 8

VICTORIAN POLL.

PROGRESS RETURNS. SMALL LABOUR, GAIN. (United Press Association. —Copyright.) MELBOURNE, Alarch 17. Progress of the counting in. the Victorian State election indicates that the United Australia Party is likely to lose three, seats, the Country Party will suffer no change, and Labour will gain two seats. Thus, though Labour with 23- seats is the largest party in the House at present, the Country Party Government with Labour support is certain to continue in office. The Premier (All* A. A. Dunstan) is, however, still confronted with the problem which caused the election, as ho failed .to unseat any of the four rebel Country Party membersthough Afr A. E. Hocking, who sought to- enter Parliament- -as leader of .the rebels was badly defeated. The state of the parties is likely to he:—< Country Party 22, Labour Party 23,, United Australia Party 15, Liberal Country Party 1, . Independents 4. The United Australia Party now has the lowest representation in history. Two Communists lost their deposits. Two retiring women members. Mesdames Brownbill (Labour, Geelong), and Weber (Independent, Numvading). were re-elected by safe majorities. All's H. Af. Jones, who challenged Colonel H. E. Cohen for the Caulfield seat, was defeated.