Labour May Be Defeated In West Australian Poll

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 March 1947, Page 7

Labour May Be Defeated In West Australian Poll

(Rec. 11.50 a.m.) PERTH, This Day. Labour lost so heavily m the West Australian elections that it may finish with only 24 seats out of the 50 in the Legislative Assembly. This would mean a loss of five seats and the thiee Independents would then hold the balance of power. On this estimate the Liberal Party, with 13 seats, would take office with Country and Democratic League. (10 seats) and Independent support. If later counting improves Labour s position to 25 seats, Labour could continue in office by inducing an Independent to accept the Speakership. One source gives the position as probably a loss to Labour of five seats and a gain of one. With only the service votes to come, a Labour man leads an Independent candidate by one vote in Pilbera.

Other informants are even more definite about the Labour losses. One places them at five and possibly eight SO3 ts Mr R. G .Menzies, leader of the that the ultimate result of the erection seemed uncertain, as yet. There could be no doubt that Labour had lost votes heavily all round. This confirmed the impression that there had been a big movement in public opinion against Labour since the last Federal election.