STILL DOUBTFUL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 228, 25 September 1940, Page 8

STILL DOUBTFUL

ELECTION RESULTS. 14 Seats In Australia May Go Either Way. VaiU«-Frem ! Ansoeiatlon.—Copyright. SYDNEY, Sept. 24. The latest figures in the Federal general election indicate the state of parties as follows:— . Government t 32 Labour «J7 Doubtful 14 The main interest in the election for the House of Representatives now centres on the 14 seats in which the distribution of preferencee and absentee votes may alter the existing position. Seven arc in New South Wales, two in Victoria, three in Queensland; and one each in West Australia and Tasmania. Yesterday's checking of primary votes indicates that the Government parties can be v sure of 32 seate and the Labour parties' 27. The decision in a few of the 14 doubtful seats is not likely to be known for some days, and probably for weeks.

It is anticipated that the majority of the postal and absentee votes will favour Government candidates, as in former yeare, but calculations can be completely upset by the preference of the Independent candidates, which may favour either party. ■ ■ Keen interest, is still focused on Mr. J. Curtin's seat in West Australia, where he is making little headway against what, seems to be unbeatable odds. The latest development ie an offer by a Labour member, Mr. R. James, who represents the Hunter constituency, near Newcastle, to resign in favour of Mr. Curtin in the event of the latter being defeated.

There is no confirmation of the report cabled yesterday that Mr. A. E. Green #L" B Bi n * h *-#» , eQorlie «»t in favour Of Mr. Curtin.