BY-ELECTION IN FLINDERS

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26868, 22 October 1952, Page 9

BY-ELECTION IN FLINDERS

Mr Menzies Twitted In House <Rec. 10 p.m.) CANBERRA. October 21. The Prime Minister (Mr Menales) rejected several Opposition suggestions in the House of Representatives today that he should resign because of the result of the Flinders by-election. He told Mr C. R. Cameron (Opposition, South Australia): “I propose to resign—but not yet.” Replying to Mr E. J. Ward (Opposition, New South Wales), he said the loss of one round in a fight did not make it necessary to throw in the towel. Mr Menzies, in reply to Mr D. E. C °s ta ’Opposition, New South Wales), said: I advise Opposition members not to start crowing too soon." Mr Menzies said it was true that the electors of Flinders had momentarily disof the Government. Tpe Canberra correspondent of the Sydney “Daily Telegraph” says that a much smaller swing than that which actually occurred in the Flinders byelection would deadlock the Senate from July 1, 1953. A new Senate election must be held before that date and five senators must be elected in five States and six in Western Australia. ■ Th 1 ? swing against the Liberal Party m the final figures exceeded 11 per nt ’« compared with the figures for the General Election in April. 1951. The Labour candidate, Mr Keith EweH, had an absolute majority over the Liberal and Independent candidates Final figures were: K. W. Ew®rt (Labour). 20,242; J. F. Rossiter (Liberal), 15,967; Mrs G. M. Stratton (Independent), 525; R. A. Hipwell (Independent). 404.