GOVERNMENT MAJORITY

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 46, 18 November 1925, Page 9

GOVERNMENT MAJORITY

IN FEDERAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATE MADE CLEAR BY LATEST RETURNS MR. THEODORE'S ELECTION NOT CERTAIN I. Not only, is the Bruce Government assured of an in- ‘ creased majority in the House of Representatives, but the . latest figures indicate a Labour debacle in the Senate elec- . tion. There is a possibility that Mr. Theodore will not be / returned for the Herbert seat as he has drifted back. ’Bt Telegraph—Press association . Copyright.

Sydney, November 17. On the basis of the latest figures available the state of parties is as follows: Nationalist Party, 35; Independent Nationalist, 1; Country Party, 14; Labour, 22; doubtful, 3. Although a Nationalist victory in the Senate is expected, the distribution of votes has not reached, a stage where it is possible definitely to forecast the result, but pn the existing figures there is an indication of a Labour debacle. Mr. Charlton now states that it is clear that the Government will have a majority in both Houses. On present figures the Nationalists have won from Labour a seat each in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and Queensland, and have chances of winning two others. . The Country Party also won one in New South Wales at Labour’s expense. Mr. IS. G. Theodore (Lab.), who on earlier returns was announced as the winner of the Herbert seat for Labour, is now drifting back. There is a possibility of a Nationalist retaining the seat. In connection with the Kennedy seat, where Mr. Francis (Nationalist) had a .walkjbver owing to the death of the Labour candidate, it is understood that Mr. Francis is reluctant to allow the present position to stand, and wishes 'to resign and contest a byelection. The Nationalist Executive is considering the position. The new Parliament will hold a short session opening on January 13, to elect a Speaker and deal with matters relating to the transfer of the Federal capital to Canberra.—Press Assn.

LATEST - FIGURES MINISTERIALISTS 51, LABOUR 24 (Rec. November 18, 1.15 a.m.) Sydney, November 17. The latest election figures show that twenty-seven Nationalists, seven Country Party members, and sixteen Labour have been definitely elected, and nine Nationalists, five Country Party candidates, and seven Labour are likely to win seats. Four seats are still doubtful, but of these three will probably go to the Nationalists and one to Labour, giving the Ministerialists fiftyone and Labour twenty-four. — Press Assn.

CHALLENGE TO LABOUR MADE GOOD

CURRENT OF OPINION IN EMPIRE

(Rec. November 17, 10.5 p.m.) New York, November 17.

The “New York Times,” commenting editorially on the Australian elections, says: “The Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce, has made good his challenge to the Labour Opposition. While the Government gain is slight, any gain is significant in view of the political situation. Recent Dominion elections go far to justify the contention that the British Empire needs no bond other thatn the sentiment of unity. The same current of . opinion has within a year manifested itself in Great Britain and the Dominions. The Conservatives swept into power in England last winter. In Canada the Conservatives had remarkable gains at the recent elections. New Zealand went Conservative some time ago. and now Australia, in the national sphere, has held fast to the Conservative doctrine, in response to very much the same forces as won over so mariy Liberal votes to Mr. Baldwin.”—Aus.N.Z., Cable. Assn.

EXTREMISTS’ POLICIES NOT TOLERATED

Montreal, November 16. The “Star” editorially comments on the result of the Australian election as follows: “The significance of the people’s decision is clear. Australia, the most advanced of the British Dominions in all questions affecting Labour, has decided that it does not want, and will not tolerate the revolutionary policies of extremists, and that Communists can have no place in her councils or voice in her affairs.” The editorial concludes: ■ “This does not mean that the best elements of the Labour Party have any reason to feel discouraged, nor that the cause of Labour is losing ground with the Australian people. It is rather a national reaction in favour of law and order, moderation, and cautiousness against all forms of violence, revolution, and foreign influence undermining the loyalty of the Australian nation.”— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.