Big Labour Gains In State Polls

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29763, 5 March 1962, Page 13

Big Labour Gains In State Polls

(N .Z J*. A.-Reuter—Copyright) MELBOURNE, March 4. Two Australian States yesterday recorded solid gains for the Australian Labour Party. In New South Wales, the 21-year-old Labour Government led by Mr R. J. Heffron, was returned with an increased majority. In South Australia, the close of counting last night showed that the Liberal-Country League Government, led by Sir Thomas Playford, could go out after 29 years in office.

Sir Thomas Playford said at the close of counting that the figures were so close he would not like to comment. At the close of counting in New South Wales last night, the Government seemed certain to have won 52 seats, compared with the 49 in the old Parliament. This means that the Government has a majority of at least 10 seats in the new Parliament, compared with four in the oldWhen all votes are counted, it seems possible that the Government would have an even bigger majority The New South Wales Opposition leader. Mr R. W Askin conceded defeat late last night. When counting closed in South Australia, a former test cricketer, G. Langley, had won a seat for Labour from the Government. In the old Parliament, the position was: Liberal-Country League. 20; Labour, 17: Independents, 2 At the close of counting last night, the position was: Labour, 18; Liberal-Country League. 17. Four seats were in doubt.