SOUTH AFRICA

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 June 1924, Page 9

SOUTH AFRICA

— » A SEVERE BLOW. AWAITING COUNTRY RETURNS. by cable —press association -copyright Received June 19, 12.20 p.m. CAPETOWN, June 18. General Smuts’ defeat came as a great surprise to the party. General regret is expressed that a statesman of his standing should have been rejected by his own constituency. It is unknown at present whether’ he will seek another seat. A decision on this point will probably depend on the final issue of the elections. The landslide to Labour on the Rand is greater than was expected, and has prejudiced the. Government’s chances of securing a majority. On the other hand, in the urban constituencies of the Cape and Natal the South African Party more than hold their own, gaining two seats from Labour in the Cape. The Labour Party now stands at iß* an increase of five compared with the last Parliament, but cannot gain any more seats. The issue hangs on the country returns from the Transvaal and the Cape, where the Government has good hope of gaining some seats, but as the pact is now leading there appears to be small hope of a- Government majority. At the same time it is unlikely that the pact will obtain a workable majority. Two Ministers have been returned —Mr. Duncan, Minister for the Interior, and Mr. Reitz, Minister for Lands.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received June 19, 12.5 p.m. CAPETOWN, June 18. Severe storm's have interrupted, the telegraph wires, delaying the election results. The latest returns are: —■' South African Party 28 Labour 18 Nationalists 15 Independent 1