CONSERVATIVE DEFEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 8 December 1923, Page 7

CONSERVATIVE DEFEAT.

GREAT LABOUR-LIBERAL WAVE. LABOUR DOES RATHER WELL. BRITAIN IS STILL FREE TRADE. The 1923 British elections will be remembered as the most vital of this day and generation. They were considered necessary because Mr. Stanley Bruce, Prime Minister of Australia, forced the hand of the Government by his intrepid advocacy of Protection, arguing, of course, from the point of view of the Australian with produce to sell to London. Mr. Baldwin went to the country as a Protectionist, and the election was fought on this basis alone. The figures quoted below, which are very far from being complete, show that the Conservatives have an exceedingly hard row to hoe, the combination of Liberal and Labour figures giving an indication of what may happen. It will be seen that tried and trusted Cabinet Ministers have been returned, and that increasingly have ladies entered die noisy business of politics. It is deeply significant that industrial England (Manchester is the very best example in the Empire) is not convinced by the Conservative argument and is still Free Trade. In November, 1922, the Conservative party gained a majority of 77. It was a Lloyd George reaction—a "peace and quietness" revulsion. There has been neither peace nor quietness. The significant feature about the results as they appear at present is the advance of Labour. The strength of the parties at present is as follows:— Seats. Conservatives . ...-.«.. .___ 222 Liberals -- • • ..-• • • 128 Labour l_.. ■.-.. •• • 158 Independent ..... ...... •■..-. 8 The gains are:— Conservatives ... .[-_•:•..;....... 11 Liberals = 60 Labour 51 Tbe losses are:— Conservatives t 86 Liberals - .*- • 23 Labour 12 Independent . . ._■•..-.- :.z. : . • • 1 (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, Becemhcer 7. The newspapers do not attempt editorial comment on the results, but the headlines partially indicate their yews. The "Daily Telegraph" and "Morning Post" are obviously disappointed. They admit many Liberal gains. Liberal papers describe results as a Liberal wave. The "Daily Herald" emphasises that Labour is in front of the Liberals, and says that Baldwin's policy everywhere has suffered a setback. Labour gained twelve seats in and around London. Night scenes in London were weirdly wonderful. Fog blotted out the blazing electric lights of Piccadilly Circus, Shaftesbury Avenue, Leicester Square, and Trafalgar Square. Huge crowds were transformed into phantom multitudes. Everywhere screens were erected on which to flash the results, but these were seen only by those close to them, who passed on the news to invisible throngs. Great cheering was heard in Trafalgar Square, but nothing was seen except stray torches, fireworks, and coloured lights. Hawkers trundled barrows selling hot chestnuts and fruit among the crowds, also rattles, mouth, organs, and other noisemakers. Owing to the weather the hotels and clubs were crowded. Thousands had the greatest difficulty in getting home. The street traffic in many parts was stopped. The ballot boxes were collected with difficulty. Several from Camberwell were reported to be lost, but later arrived at the Town Hall. The results were consequently later than usual. There were lively scenes at Battersea outside the Town Hall. Enormous crowds repeatedly sang "The Red Flag" and indulged in free fights. Saklatvala, the Hindu, appealed from a balcony for order. The new member managed to leave the Town Hall uninterfered with, but the crowd remained noisy, and several arrests were made. Tolling generally passed quietly. Eight centenarians voted, including Mrs. Lett, of Birmingham, who is 103. John Bright's daughter voted for Free Trade in the Wells Division. The Labour party organised bands of women to attend the children and invalids while the mothers voted.