RESIGNATION LIKELY

Evening Star, Issue 20028, 20 November 1928, Page 6

RESIGNATION LIKELY

TIE GOVERNMENT'S PUNS . UNITED PARTY CAUCUS LSptCUI. TO THE ' Star.'J WELLINGTON, November 19. Tho Rriuie Minister and Iris colleagues held a further Cabinet meeting to-day, but it was not followed by an announcement regarding the party's intentions. This formal decision awaits the completion of tho election returns, and probably will be delayed until Thursday. However, there arc indications to those in dose touch with Ministerial arrangements that tho members of the Cabinet have made up their minds to promptly accept tho country’s decision and leave the way open to Sir Joseph AYard to take office ami form a Government.

This will not obviate tho necessity lor an early session, os the real test will then face the new Government. The question is already being discussed whether it would suit cither Reform or Labour to force another General Election before it is clear whether the United Party is on top of the popularity, wave or only beginning to rise. It’ is considered highly unlikely that Sir Joseph AYard wall be forced out of o/lice. New Zealand legislators, since the inauguration of the triennial Parliaments, have always completed their three-year term, and apart from national expense and inconvenience there arc strong personal reasons, common to elected members of all parties, against running the expensive gauntlet too soon.

Sir Joseph Ward, who is quietly awaiting the Prime Aliuister’s next move, lias invited all llio Dili ted members to a caucus erf the party, which will, be held in Parliament Building on Thursday.

FINAL RETURNS As a result of the official count the following complete returns are announced ; AVAITEM ATA. A. Harris (R.) 4,1583 R. H. Grcville (U.) ... 4,3G8 A. G. Osborne (Lab.) 2,185 MANUKATJ. W. J. Jordan (Lab.) ... 6,110 \V. T. F. Kells-Masnu (U.) 2,752 R. Bunn (R.) 2,477, ( OAMARD. | The official recount of the votes recorded at the recent election is proceeding in the Oamaru Courthouse. The absentee votes, which numbered 470. were counted yesterday, with the following result:—Lee 211, Macphcrson 255; informal 4. Air Macpherson’s majority lias thus been increased from 300 to 344, and the figures now stand: J. A. Alacphersou (D.) 5,015 E. P. Leo (R.) 4,671 NEW PLYMOUTH. 'The final figures for New Plymouth arc: S. G. Smith (U.) ... 5,577 C. E. Bellringer (R.) 4,11(1 AV. G. Simpson (Lab.) 1,293 informal, 68. WAIKATO. The Waikato electoral official count : of votes recorded on election day, to- . gethcr with 5C3 absentee votes, was completed this morning, the result being : Lye (U.) 2,978 Reid (R.) 2,889 Keegan (Country) ... 1,897 The majority for Lye is 89. Lye’s majority has increased from 39. 'There arc still a few declarations of absentee votes to come in, but the issue cannot he affected.