A RECORD POLL. THE QUEENSLAND ELECTIONS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 31, 6 February 1908, Page 7

A RECORD POLL. THE QUEENSLAND ELECTIONS.

PHILP PAETY ROUTED. APPROXIMATE POSITION OF PARTIES. By Telegraph.— Preas Association.— Cnpyiijrht. BRISBANE, sth February. Keen interest centred in the elections to-day. The poll is oxpected to be a record one. Not oven the most sanguine supporters of Mr. Kidston wero prepared for the complete rout of tho Philp party, as revealed by the election returns. Although tho returns are not complete, and the postal vote is yet to bo counted, it is not considered that the result will be altered materially. Present appearances show that Mr. Philp (Premier) suffered defeat at the hands of Labour in his own stronghold of Townsville. Mr. Stephens, a member of tho Cabinet, was defeated at South Brisbane, while Mr. P. J. Leahy, another member, was beaten for tho Warrego seat by Mr. Coyne (Labour). Two North Brisbane seats were captured by Labom % . Tho approximate position of parties io :—: — Ministerialists , ... 20 Kidstonitcs ... „, ... 25 Labour „, 25 Doubtful 2 The last general election, held in May, 1907, resulted : — Ministerialists (Kidstonians) 24, _ Opposition 30, Labour 18. Tho Labourites gave the Government inoro or less effective support, but when a crucial timo arrived, they failed to respond to an appeal from Mr. Kidston, who had to retire from oflice. Mr. Philp was sent for and formed a Ministry, which held office for a tew hours only. The State Governor, Lord Chelmsford, despite strenuous protests from Mr. Kidstonand tho Labour party, then granted a dissolution. Tho question of Legislative Council reform is one that will occupy the attention of tho now Parliament. The trouble between the two Chambers has been of long duration, and Mr. Kidston has complained, with some reason, that during the last four yeara the Council has manifested a spirit of obstruction to measures sent up to it by the House. He holdß that there resides in tho Crown tho power to nominate to the Council Such a number of new members a 9 might bo required to overcome obstruction And that such power should bo exercised if, in tho opinion of the Government, such & course became hecessary. The Labour party desires to put an end to the obstructive Chamber, whilo tho Philp party advocates a reform of the second Chamber by making it elective and upon a liberal qualification. MR. PHILP HAS LITTLE CHANCE. LABOUR LEADER CLAIMS A GREAT I VICTORY. (Received February 6, 10.38 a.m.) BRISBANE, This Day. Mr. Philp has no chance of being returned unless tho postal Vote ia heavily cast in his favour. Mr. Bowman, leader of the Labour Party, regards the result of the elections as a great victory for labour. *** 1