FEDERAL ELECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 71, 17 December 1919, Page 7

FEDERAL ELECTIONS

LATEST RETURNS

FARMERS' PARTY ASSUMES NEW IMPORTANCE (By Telegraph-Press Association-Cbpyrlplit Sydney, December 10Tho latest election ..returns show:— Nationalists !lt Labour Farmers 3 Nineteen scab aro doubtful, and will probably result, in uiiio going t<> the Nationalists, five to Labour, and five to tho Fanners. In the referendum "No" is slill leading. except in Victoria and Queensland, where "Yes" is leading on both question?, and in West "Australia, where

"Yes" is leading on the monopolies question. The Senate voting now shows a possibility of tho whole of the eighteen vacancies "being filled by Nationalists. , Later. Sydney, December IG. Mr. Wallace, the Labour member, who surrendered the safe West Sydney nomination to Mr. Ryan, was defeated for NepeanSmall as the referendum figures still are. the trend is such that it is practically a foregone conclusion that the issues will be defeated. Apparently the electorates have aeccptcd the idea, that Jlr. .Hughes alrea'dy possesses or • cap take sufficient power under the Constitution to deal adequately with the matters desired without.a further.extension. —Press Assn. FARMERS' PARTS' GAINING GROUND. ; <Rec. December 16, 11.10 p.m.) Sydney, December 10. As Ihe counting progresses it becomes mare apparent that the Fanners' representatives will be a very important, factor in the new Federal Parliament, holding the balance of power. Their position has improved since yesterday. They arc now holding four seats end leading in seven. The second preference votes in <he three electorates where Labour was leading will probably result in the return of three further Farmers' candidates—.Press Assn.