POSSIBLE DEFEAT

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 32, 8 February 1932, Page 9

POSSIBLE DEFEAT

GOVERNMENT CANDIDATE

EAST SYDNEY BY-ELECTION

SYDNEY, 7th February.

The Eaist Sydney by-election yesterday is creating tremendous interest because th». defeat of the United Australia Parity candidate, Mr: W. MeCall, will mean that the Lyons Government's absolute majority over all other parties in. the Homse of Representatives will be only. one. This woiild leave it at the mercy of the Country Party, which, in alliance with the tw»o Labour opposition groups, could make things awkward, especially as the Country Party already is nettled over its failure to receive the Customs portfolio. At the completion of the first count last night, the Lang Plan candidate, Mr. E. J. Ward, who originally held this seat, but, was defeated by a very narrow majoiiity at the Tecent Federal elections, .had a majority of 1313 over Mr. MeCall, and there will be a close battle !of preferences to- decide the issue, with the odds .slightly in favour of Mr. Ward.

The latest ijgures are-.— Ward (Lang Labour) 17,446 McCall (United Aust. Party) 16,231 L. Cunningham. (Federal Lab.) 2,805 J. Miles (Communist) 594