Baldwin's Reverse

Evening Star, Issue 18503, 10 December 1923, Page 5

Baldwin's Reverse

Conservatives in Hopeless Minority.

What Will Happen Next?.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,

LONDON, December 8. The state of parties at the conclusion of the second day’s polling wasl as follows: —

[Tho House of Commons is composed of 615 members, and 602 members are accounted for in the above returns, Tho General Election of November 15, 1922, resulted as follows Government: Conservatives 347. Opposition (268): Labor 142, National Liberals 59, Liberals 59, Independents 5, Nationalists 2, Sinn Fein 1. Total returned, 615; Conservative majority, 79.] LONDON, December 9. (Deceived December 10, at 9.10 a.m.) An analysis of the votes cast so far shows the following

SIX MINISTERS REJECTED. LONDON, December 7. So far six Ministers have been defeated. The Government losses include the Lord Advocate for Scotland, Hon. William Watson, who did not hold a seat in Parliament, and who was beaten by the Laborite in Carlisle; Mr A. Boyd-Carpenter, Financial Secretary to the Admiralty; and Mr P. J. Ford, Junior Whip. SIR G. YOUNGER SPEAKS. WOMEN WRECK THE GOVERNMENT. CAUGHT BY DEAR-FOOD CRY. LONDON, December 9. (Received December 10, at 10 a.m.) Sir Georg© Younger (chief Conservative organiser), on leaving Mr Baldwin, told Press interviewers that he did not know if Mr Baldwin would resign. He ivould meet the Cabinet on Monday or Tuesday and eee the King afterwards. “ The situation,” said Sir George Younger, “is most interesting. The women voters wrecked the Government. They were frightened by the gross misrepresentation regarding dear food. Our party comes back too strong to decline responsibility, but not big enough to do anything effective. I do not see that we can go into opposition. Wo may carry cn with the benevolent support of another party. We certainly do not want another coalition with the Liberals. Our would not consent to that course.” Sir George Younger added that personally he would prefer to he in opposition and see what the other fellows would do.—Sydney ‘ Sun ’ Cable. THE POLITICAL CAMPS. TREND OF THOUGHT. COALITION IDEA UNPOPULAR. LONDON, December 9. (Received December 10, at 9.5 a.m.) Amid the perplexity of trying to pierce the veil of the obscure future to foresee who will carry on the King’s Government, it is noteworthy that Mr Baldwin has little sympathy among the newspapers commentators. Liberal opinion may be crystallised into “ serve you right,” while the Conservatives are inclined to dwell on the folly of sacrificing a safe position against the advice of many Conservative leaders. All anxiously discuss the possibility of finding the greatest common measure of agreement between the parties to carry on as long as possible, so that the country may avoid another election in the near future, which anyhow would probably reproduce the present situation. A coalition is also unpopular, therefore most of the suggestions run on the lines of a single party forming a Government with a promise of another party’s support on more or less non-contentious legislation, but which party would continue in office at present is the subject of much disagreement. The Conservatives are content to regard Protection as receiving a setback for many years, while the Liberals proclaim that it is definitely killed. — Reuter. THE LABOR CHIEF. PARTIES’ METHODS EXPLAINED. BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE LONDON, December 9. (Received December 10, at 9.5 a.m.) Mr Ramsay MacDonald received an ovation from the crowd on his arrival at Paddington. There were cries of “ The future' Prime Minister.” Interviewed, he said that he w r as not surprised at the result of the election. Only the attitude of the newspapers had made him uncertain, as Labor latterly had not been supported except by its own paper. The feeling qf the workers towards the Press was bitter. He seriously asked the newspapers to reconsider their attitude, and he added that the party might have dropped the capital levy, but it was not seeking to snatch seats. _ It was building on sure foundations. “We will, ’ ho said, “be reajiy when the time comes. Our task at present is to educate opinion, and results indicate that wo are succeeding."—Reuter. RIVAL LEADERS. LONDON, December 8. Mr Baldwin, at the declaration of the poll at Bewdley, said: “ From the look of things I am going to have a rather difficult time, but I am never afraid of difficulties. At all events I shall be able to face them knowing more than ever that 1 have your confidence and support. Mr Asquith met a large crowd upon his arrival from Scotland. In response to incessant demands for a speech, he said« “ The election has been one of the most discreditable adventures in history. What is the result? Freetrade is safe, Protection is dead and buried.”—A. and N.Z. Cable. SIR ALFRED MOND’S SUGGESTION, LONDON, December 8. Sir Alfred Mond, interviewed, said: “Lord Derby, being more or less a Freetrader, might carry on and form a Government to carry on a policy of tranquillity for the time -being. There is one measure wldch must be carried before the next election. That is provision for a second ballot for three-cornered contests. I submitted this when a Minister, being of opinion for years that the present system is opposed to democratic representation.” -A? and N.Z. Cable.

LOOKING AHEAD. POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES. LONDON, December 8. “What will happen next?” is everywhere being asked. The Press discusses the situation speculatively, agreeing that it is unprecedented in the variety of alternatives to be debated. It may be summed up in this way: First, Mr Baldwin to resign and the King not to accept his resignation; Mr Baldwin to carry on with uncontentious legislation and another election to bo held in twelve months. Secondly, Lord Derby and other nontariff members to carry on instead of Mr Baldwin. Thirdly, the Conservatives and the Liberals to form a coalition. . Fourthly, the King to send for Mr Ramsay MacDonald, who will agree to form a Cabinet, the Conservatives and the Liberals acquiescing, a condition being that there shall he no contentious legislation and no capital levy. Fifthly, the Laborites and Liberals to form a coalition and carry measures mutually agreed upon.—A. and N.Z. Cable. OFFICIAL LIBERALISM AND LABOR. A WIDE GULF. LONDON, December 8. Regarding the last point, the ‘Daily Herald ’ says editorially that “ when Mr Baldwin resigns, as he must, the King will send for Mr MacDonald. The Asquithian Liberals are suggesting a coalition with a Labor Prime Minister, Mr Asquith holding a prominent post, and Viscount Grey being Foreign Secretary, They say that Labor and Liberals, at any rate, agree regarding foreign affairs. Our reply is that nothing of the kind will be listened to by the leaders of the rank and file of the Labor '|?arty. To suggest that Viscount Grey and Mr Asquith are in harmony with Labor’s views cn foreign policy is to betray ignorance of the history of the past twenty years. Whatever he the alternative, even if it is a realisation of Lord Beaverbrook’s and Lord Rothermere’s plan to revive the Lloyd George Coalition, it must he preferred by us to any union with men whom we have such unconquerable reason to distrust. Between official Liberalism and Labc» foreign affairs form as great a gulf as homo affairs. All we have to do is to wait a while for complete power. A Tory-Liberal coalition will play into our hands and drive all decent Liberals to Labor’s ranks. At the next election Labor will sweep the board.” —A. and N.Z. Cable. LIBERALS AND LABORITES NOT MUTUALLY ATTRACTED. LONDON, December 9. (Received December 10, at 10 a.m.) Mr Egerton Wake, Labor’s chief agent, states that there is a strong feeling among the rank and file against joining hands with the Liberals. One reason is the way in which the Liberals joined tho_ Conservatives in some constituencies in order to keep out the Laborites. Mr Will Thorne, M.P., said that a coalition with the Liberals would be a fatal mistake. “ Even if Mr Lloyd George had not said what he has about us Edo not think a single old or now member would favor a Liberal-Labor coalition.”—Sydney ‘Sun’ Cable.' MR LLOYD GEORGE’S COMMENTS. LONDON, December 7. Mr Lloyd George to-day commented: “Results make it clear that the trickery of ‘ honest men ’ ignominiously failed, and was seen throu&h by the people. But the most remarkable and in many ways most gratifying feature at the election, he sjid, is the rejection by the agricultural districts of the huge bribe of eleven millions sterling offered them by the Incorruptibles."—A. and N.Z. Cable. VIEWS OF THE BRITISH PRESS. COALITION SUGGESTIONS. LONDON, December 8. ‘The Times’ editorially emphasises the completeness of the defeat of the programme upon which everything bad been staked and the whole election fought. It attributes the result to the fact that the mass of electors are convinced that tariffs will raise prices, and says: “The Government is practically impotent and stalemated. There inevitably will be a coalition ; Mr Baldwin is confronted by a most difficult problem. None of the three parties can form a strong, stable Government without an alliance, a working arrangement, or a coalition. Mr Baldwin has a choice of trying to promote such an alliance or allowing the Opposition to form an alliance against him. He may decide to meet Parliament and await or invite inevitable defeat sooner or later. There must be a definite decision as to the direction in which Conservatism is tending. Mr Baldwin’s first duty is still to provide the King with a Government capable of governing. The ‘ Daily Express ' says: “ A distinctive Conservative Government is an impossibility. This overthrow was due to the crass stupidity and ridiculous miscalculations of Mr Baldwin and his little ring of advisers. Every conception of sanity should have urged Mr Baldwin as a new, inexperienced Prirnfe Minister to walk carefully in the path Mr Bonar Law had shown, but he declined the counsel proffered by experienced men who had served Conservatism responsibly before Mr Baldwin entered Parliament. While Home protection has been hopelessly beaten, the policy of the Empire has suffered no defeat at' all. If Mr Baldwin had .succeeded the cause of Imperial Preference would have suffered a setback lasting a generation. A rejuvenated Conservative Party can now carefully think out the whole question of a revival of our foreign markets and the creation of an Empire almost- economically- self-contained. Labor’s,

gains exceeded all the prophets’ expectations, but these have mostly been in threecornered lights on a minority vote. Liberalism boasts that it stands in the middle position for ‘ tranquillity tempered by tads.* If this is true the united Conservative forces of Liberalism and Toryism could easily defeat the Labor menace.” The ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ says: “ It is the plain duty of the two constitutionalist parties to come together. We care little who is Prime Minister. What is important is that there shall be a stable Government on lines 'generally accepted by these parties. It is open to Mr Lloyd George to say that he warned the Conservative Party of what would happen if they broke up the Coalition. We recall his words, because Mr Lloyd George is bound to play a dominant part in the extraordinary position which has arisen. We repeat that there must be co-operation or ruin. If the Liberals withhold consent or the Diehards raise any vain opposition there will probably be a Socialist Government within a’ few months. We urge the Government immediately to open negotiations with the Liberals.

The ‘Daily Chronicle’ says; ‘‘Freetrade decisively triumphed to-day. Mr Baldwin, as a reward for the shabbiest election trick ever stooped to by a British Prime Minister, finds a safe majority of seventy-five, which the Government could have enjoyed for four years, converted into a minority of about 100, besides a universal uprising against Protection and high prices, in which, it seems, certain women voters took a strong part. There may also be discerned some general movement towards the Left. It is too early to say what the next step will bo with our threecornered Parliament.”

The ‘ Daily Chronicle, in a special article, suggests that the electors’ emphatic and unmistakable rejection of Protection in any shape or form represents a personal triumph for Mr Lloyd George’s whirlwind missionary tour, in which by means of amplifiers and wireless hundreds of thousands of people heard his speeches. It adds: “ Never before has there been a man in British politics who can thus appeal to the common people. There is some flavor about Mr Lloyd George’s eloquence which enables it to carry conviction from its very plainness and sincerity.” The "‘ Morning Post ’ declines to waste time on reproaches or lamentations. It takes the view that the mistake did not lie in recent boldness, but in past timidity, and proceeds to assume that Mr Baldwin will resign. The paper urges that “ since present calamities have come chiefly from the degradation of Conservatives in the bondage of a coalition, the Conservatives should refuse ever again to join a coalition of any sort. If they are now not strong enough to govern alone, let the other side try its band. If there is to be a coalition, we think there must bo a greater - affinity between Mr Lloyd George and Mr Ramsay MacDonald than between the Conservative and Liberal. We make these observations in full knowledge of the terrible risks the country runs of government by a radical Socialist coalition, but also we see that the best hope of salvation lies in a free, strong, and independent, self-respecting Conservative Party rather than in weak, discredited, unpopular centre coalition.”

The ‘Daily Telegraph’ says: “The country did not want this election, and could not tolerate another. We have to-day a three-party system, and avo must accept the consequences so long as it endures. Wo believed in Mr Baldwin’s proposals. Wo believe in them still, but we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that victory for tariff reform is out of the question so long as Lancashire does not waver from its faith.”

The ‘ Sunday Times ’ says that the situation may compel the two constitutional parties to combine for the defence of the Constitution. It is expected that Mr Baldwin will resign, and will be succeeded in the leadership of the party by a Conservative statesman less responsible for the recent gamble with the electorates. The ‘ Daily Express’s ’ lobby correspondent says Mr Baldwin will resign both Hie Premiership and Leadership of the Unionist Party, and that he will announce his decision at a party meeting at the Carlton Club next week.

1‘ A POLITICAL SEDAN.”

LONDON, December 9,

(Received December 10, at 9.50 a.m.)

The ‘Daily Mail,’ in a leading article, says: “The country’s reply to Mr Baldwin’s action in precipitating an unnecessary election is violent and unmistakable. The Conservatives have sustained a series of catastrophic defeats. Mr Baldwin must inevitably return to private life as h leader who conducted his followers into a political Sedan. He cannot hope to command the future confidence. The Labor Party comes back strengthened, but its gains arc smaller than might have been expected, seeing that the Conservatives and Liberals were engaged in cutting each other’s throats instead of in co-operating against a common disaster to the State. As the result of the triangular contests a large number of Laborites were elected by minority. The evident duty of the moderates of the two constitutional parties is to co-operate against nationalisation and accompanying inefficiencies.” Sydney ‘ Sun ’ Cable,

FRENCH AND GERMAN PRESS,

LONDON, December 8.

Paris messages state that the British election results caused disappointment there, where it was generally assumed that the Baldwin Government would be less antagonistic to France than any other. The newspaper ‘ Liberto ’ says: " The results mean that the restoration of Germany by lenient methods will again bo vehemently demanded. The maintenance of the Entente will bo more difficult than ever if Mr Lloyd George does not return to power, and almost impossible if he does.”

‘Le Temps ’ says; “ Ever since the British dissolution the French policy has been directed to strengthening the Entente and the basis of agreements. It would have been found that if Mr Baldwin had won that it would have given a new lease of life to the Entente.”

Berlin newspapers welcome the defeat of the British Conservatives. Some evening papers display portraits of “Lloyd George, the Victor," The Radical ‘Vossiche Zcdtung’ suggests that there is no parallel for the success of Mr Lloyd George. His American tour furnishes the chief reason why be again becomes a great force. The ‘National Zcitung’ already foresees Mr Lloyd George as Prime Minister, and eagerly awaits the carrying out of his promises in America in of an unequivocal condemnation of France’s Ruhr policy and an extension to Germany of every possible~assistance in connection With reparations and a revival of her economic activity.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

PARIS, December 9.

(Received December 10, at 9.15 a.m.)

Some anxiety is shown by the Press as to the ultimate effect of the British election results on Franoo-British relations, though the unanimous opinion is expressed that the Government has been defeated on the Protection issue alone. It is widely felt that there will be another General Election befor§ long. _ The consensus of opinion is that Britain is faced with a difficult period, which a number of the papers fear may prejudice the Entente.—Reuter.

ITALIAN PRESS COMMENT

ROME, December 9.

(Received December 10, at 9.15 a.m.)

The ‘ Giqrnale DTtalia ’ says: “The European Governments are somewhat worried at the result of the British elections, as they foresee the reappearance of Mr Lloyd George, though it is difficult to see how he can ally himself with Labor.”—Eeuter. AMERICAN OPINIONS NEW YORK, December 8. The ‘New York World’ declares that M, Poincare os well as Mr Baldwin fins been beaten in the British elections. The ‘Tribune’ is of opinion that the offhand manner in which Mr Baldwin foisted the tariff issue upon the British public irritated both politicians and elec-

tors, and alienated powerful newspaper support. It declares that the tariff issue in Britain is apparently unmanageable, and says that the future cannot be forecasted.

Terming the verdict of the British public in the elections as a thoroughly-deserved defeat for the Conservatives, the ‘ World ’ scorns Mr Baldwin’s Government for its foreign and domestic policies. It soya that the need of Britain is a peace so complete that Europe can recover her power to buy and sell. The. Diehards in the party, it says, supported Imperialistic policies in France, and caused the party to fumble the issue raised by French occupation of tbo Bnlir. Under a Conservative Government, it says, “ British prestige sank to the lowest point in a generation, and Britain was almost driven out of Europe altogether.” The tariff issue raised by Mr Baldwin it terms “ a red helming used in an attempt to retrieve the lost position of the Government.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE POSITION,

LONDON, December 8,

As a, result of inquiries in dominion circles the Australian Press understands that it is not considered that the result of the olortion should affect the present position of Imperial Preference. It is pointed out that the election was fought mainly on the question of protection of home markets rather than preference to dominion products ; therefore it is thought unlikely that the promises made by the Baldwin Cabinet will be rescinded whatever party eventually carries on the Government.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

EFFECT ON STOCK EXCHANGE,

LONDON, December 8.

Tho defeat of the Government came as a severe shock to the Stock Exchange, for throughout the General Election members, after the first scare of a possibility of a capital levy had passed away, took an optimistic view, and tho belief gre.w daily that Mr Baldwin would return with at least a workable majority. In anticipation of the results markets developed strength all round, and tho prospects of Protection caused a considerable buoya.ncy in industrials. Investors and speculators alike were confident that a marked revival in business would follow tho establishment on a firm basis of a Protectionist Government; but a mde awakening oame on Friday morning. It was at once recognised that all hopes of a workable majority were gone,' and dealers immediately marked down prices. As the clay progressed and the Government’s position became worse., the weakness became more pronounced, the closing quotations being low. Fortunately, however, no selling pressure developed ex cept for a few speculative shares which had been recently bought in anticipation of Protection. In most markets business is verv restricted.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

CANADA DISAPPOINTED,

OTTAWA, December 9,

(Received December 10, at 9.50 a.m.)

Canada received gloomily the, news of Mr Baldwin’s defeat.

“ Non-acceptanco of tariff favors to tho dominions by Britain will probably mean that in Canada an agitation will commence for tho removal of the Customs preference which tho Dominion gives Britain for her goods,” says a leading Canadian newspaper, which adds, however, that a cooler appraisal of the situation might not justify this action. “ Every Canadian shoe manufacturer who suffers by competition from Northampton boots is almost certain to seize the present opportunity to register his objection to Canada’s continual preference to the Mother Land. The success of Mr Baldwin at the polls would have meant new life for several Canadian products and industries. The Nova Scotian and British Columbian fruitgrowers are in terrible straits. They had visions of a huge trade. Mr Lloyd George’s tincan allusions have been pregnant with meaning for tho Pacific Coast salmon puckers/’—Sydney ‘ Sun ’ Cable. AUSTRALIAN VIEWPOINTS. SYDNEY, December 10.. (Received December 10, at 10.50 a.m.) The Sydney ‘ Morning Herald,’ in commenting on the bearing of the British elections upon tho question of the preferance, which is at present granted to certain dominions’ products, says: “Even if tho Conservatives lose office wo do not suppose that such preference will bo abolished. Another matter involved in the elections is the Singapore base, which would bo a valuable adjunct to the defence of Australia. Labor is by no means enthusiastic about this base, and Mr Asquith has deprecated its construction. Should a Government other than a Conservative one attain power it is conceivable that the scheme may be modified.”

(Received December 10, at 11.15 a.m.) Tbo ‘ Daily Telegraph 1 says : “ The issue of Froetrade or Protection _ was entirely fundamental. It had to be fought out between the Conservatives and the Liberals, with Labor making a. meal off both parties. Now that the tariff issue is settled _ and Britain remains fixed to her traditional Froetrade policy, she must face the more serious Issue in the Labor policy of nationalisation or Socialism. Labor 's henceforth the- real Opposition to both parties. Tire old party duel is now ended. The most common-sense course would be a realignment of parties on the real issue to prevent the overthrow of economic stability in Great Britain. LONDON, December 9. (Received December 10, at 10.50 a.m) Mr Bruce, speaking at Hull, said: “ In view of the election results, if the people of Britain do not want tariffs and preference, wo must think of another method to ensure that their trade will not be undercut by countries with a lower standaiA of life, who deliberately clump goods into Britain. If the dominions arc to develop and Britain prosper she must retain the dominion markets.” —Reuter.

FURTHER DETAILS OF POLLING.

LONDON, December 8. Air J W. Molden (Liberal) was at the bottom of the poll in Islington West, which Labor gained in a triangular fight. At South Shields Mr E. A. Harney (Liberal) polled 22,012 votes, and Mr W. Lowthor (Labor) 15,717. Mr Crawford Green (Conservative) won Worcester from Mr R. R- Fairbairn, the sitting Liberal. Mr Philip Snowden, Labonte, was returned for Colne Valley. The Liberal and Labor gams, notably in the counties, continue. They include a Laborite, Mr R. Climieu who ousted the Liberal ox-Leader, Sir Donald Maclean, in a triangular fight at Kilmarnock; and a Liberal, Mr S. W. Robinson, who gained Chelmsford from the Conservative, Mr E. G. Prettyman.

The Liberals' gained Gateshead and Elland from the Laborius, while on the other hand the Laborites wrested Milo End and Rotherham from Conservatives, their majority in Rotherham being 2,44 b. The Laborites who have been elected include Messrs J. Maxton, Noel Buxton, Ben Spoor, Patrick Hastings, K.C., Jack Jones, and Will Thorne.

A Liberal, Mr L. W. Costello, gained Huntingdonshire from a Conservative. Major Tryon (Minister of Pensions) headed the poll at Brighton, defeating Mr Walter Runeirnan (Liberal) by a majority of nearly 13,000. —Keuter, The Conservatives held Sir Newton Moore’s old seat at Islington North. Mr C. B. Fry, the cricketer, reduced Major A. J. Edmondson's Conservative Majority in Banbury (Oxford) by over 4,000. Mr F. D. Acland, after a recount, regained the Tiverton Division of Devonshire with a majority of three in the contest with his cousin, Colonel Acland Troyte, m a poll of 24,000. Standing as a Conservative, Mr J. H. Tennant, Mr Asquith’s brother-in-law, forfeited his deposit, at Gla-sgaw Central. The representation of Sheffield remains unchanged, except for a Conservative gain from a Liberal.

In Newcastle the Liberals captured l two Labor seats.

Tho contest in the West Biding, Yorkshire, resulted in the return _of four Conservatives, four Liberals, and ten Laborites, compared with five Conservatives, three Liberals, and ten Laboritcs in the last Parliament. The Scottish burghs are little changed. The East Biding of Yorkshire is solidly Conservative, as Che liberals lost the Holderness seat. Cornwall is wholly Liberal. In Cheshire tho Conservatives lost three seats to Liberals; otherwise the county representation is unchanged. The representation in Dorsetshire, Glamorganshire, and Carmarthenshire is also unchanged. There is no alteration in Belfast. Gloucestershire is represented by one Coaservatico, two Liberals, and one Laboritc, compared with three Conservatives, no Liberals, and one Laborite in the Me House. The election at Fermanagh and Tyrone resulted in the re-election of Mr T. J. t>. Harbison (Nationalist) and Mr C. Ecaly ftfinn Fein] by majorities of 6,000 over tho two_ Conscrvatices. Mr Healy is at present interned.—Reuter. FEATURES OF THE ELECTION. LONDON, December 8. A curious feature of the election is that it practically extinguishes Mr Lloyd George’s National Liberal Party. Those who were unsuccessful include his henchmen, Sir Alfred Mond, Mr M’Curdy, Sir TLn mar Greenwood, Air Churchill, Mr Hilton Young, Major Waring, and six or seven others. Another remarkable feature is that the total Conservative vote is increased by 58,0C0, tho Liberals by 130,000, and the Labor vote by 570,000. The total votes cast were 14.315,000, Labor officials to-day are emphatic in opposing cooperating with the Liberals. The largest majorities of Labor were at Rhondda (12,992) and Seaham Division of Durham (12,735); the largest Consemtive majority at Brighton (12,675); and the largest Liberal majority at the Merthyr Division of ’ Merthyr-Tydvil. Small majorities were: Labor, Maldon Division of Essex, 49; Conservative, Isle of Thanet Division of Kent, 48; Liberal, Newbury Division of Berkshire, 41; Labor, Huddersfield. 24; Liberal, Hemel Hampstead Division of Hertfordshire, 17. CABINET TO MEET ON TUESDAY. LONDON, December 9. The King’s private secretary (Lord Stamfordham) was called to Downing Street yesterday. Cabinet will meet on Tuesday.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

CONSERVATIVES , . 259 LIBERALS . 148 LABOR • ... . 187 INDEPENDENT - 8

CONSERVATIVES , 5,417,094 LABOR , 4.477,617 LIBERALS , ... ... 4,254,556 —Reuter.