GOVERNMENT'S DEFEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18578, 10 December 1923, Page 9

GOVERNMENT'S DEFEAT.

NET LOSS OF 91 SEATS. LABOUR IN SECOND PLACE. THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION. By TelesrraDh— Association— Copyrich* (Received 4.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. and Renter. LONDON. Dec. 8. The latest election returns give the state of parties as follows :— Conservatives . • • • 259 ■ Labour \f Liberals 14 ° Independents • • •• • a . This leaves only 13 seats yet to be decided, including the "West Derby seat, where polling Trill.no* take place until December 20. When 589 results were announced the party gams and losses were: — 1 ■ >et. Gains. Losses. Result. Conservatives .. 13 109 Lass of 91 Liberals -. 79 35 Gain of 46 Labour . .. 61 « Gam of 46 Independent .. 0 1 Loss of 1 The situation is unprecedented in British political history. All three parties are alike powerless to govern, and their acute differences may "make a pact impossible. The only solution possibly will be a temporary working arrangement. | .Political circles are excited. It is j assumed that Mr. Baldwin will resign, and the" King will ask Mr. Ramsay Mac- ! Donald, Leader of the Labour Party, as representing the strongest party, to form a Government. The Labour Party is elated, and the Liberals aro somewhat chagrined at their losses to Labour, making them still the smallest party.