POLL SURPRISE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 67, 21 March 1938, Page 7

POLL SURPRISE.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Independents Hold Balance of Power. LABOUR SEATS REDUCED. United Press Association.—Copyrig-ht. (Received 10.30 a.m.) ADELAIDE, this day. The results of the State election in South Australia have greatly shaken the Liberal Country League Government. Instead of its 28 seats out of 46 before the poll, it now appears likely to win not more than 17. Of the redistributed 20 seats, the balance of power is held by the Independents, who appear to have won 12 seats, compared with the five they held in the old House. Labour is likely to win only eight seats. It held 13 before the election. Although the result of the contest in j at least five seats is still in doubt, it is certain that if the present Government is to carry on it will have to gain promises of support from four or five Independents. At the close of counting on Sunday night, tine probable state of the parties was:— I Liberal Country 17 i Labour 10 : Independent 12 Of the Independents one is Independent I Labour and two Independent Liberal. Mr. R. L. Butler, Premier, now has an almost complete majority on the first count and is considered quite safe, i despite a hard light against four opponents. Mr. S. W. Jeffries, Attorney-General, has improved his position and is expected to retain his seat. Mr. M. McIntosh, Minister of Crown Lands, is now considered safe, but Mr. Crosby, Chairman of Committees, and Sir Herbert Hudd, Commissioner of Public Works, are behind their Independent opponents in straight-out fights. AH other members of the Ministry have retained their seats. Usually . a Labour stronghold, the Adelaide seat is likely to go to an unendorsed Labour candidate.

Mr. Butler said the election wag the most extraordinary in the histcry of South Australia. It appeared that* the Independents had the balance of power. The Premier said lie would call Parliament together immediately. Some of the Independents would support the Government, but if the Government found it did not have the support of the majority of the House, there would be no alternative but to make another appeal to the electors.