VOTING IN TASMANIA

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31986, 13 May 1969, Page 17

VOTING IN TASMANIA

Shock For Labour

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) HOBART, May 12.

The average Tasmanian can tfardly believe that 35 years of Labour rule in the island state are almost certainly over.

Experts say that Saturday's poll figures can lead to one of only two results: A Liberal government, 18-17, or a Lab-our-Liberal government, 17 all, with the Centre Party leader (Mr Kevin Lyons) putting the Liberals in office.

But the man-in-the-street refuses to believe that until it is official; and under Tasmania’s complicated voting system, the result will not be official until next Saturday. Only a few thousand postal and absentee votes remain to be taken into the primarycount, and these should not have much effect on the result. Aust. Wool Prices Prices at last week’s Australian wool sales moved within narrow limits compared with the previous week, says the National Council of Woolselling Brokers. Rates for comeback, crossbred and Merino carding wools tended to be against the buyer, and all other descriptions recorded a fractional movement against the seller. Japan continued to be a strong buyer, the Continent and Eastern Europe competed freely, and there was good support from the United Kingdom and Australian mills.—Sydney, May 12.