ELECTION IN FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19929, 24 April 1928, Page 11

ELECTION IN FRANCE.

FIRST BALLOT RESULTS. PO INCARE SECURES LEAD. MANY SEATS UNDECIDED. Australian Fress Association—United Service (Received April 23, 8.27 p.m.) PARIS, April 23. The first day's balloting in the general election yesterday passed off very calmly, contrasting with the violence displayed op Saturday, when numerous disturbances took place over a wide area. Modern French polling is largely of a holiday character, affording a universal opportunity for the family promenade.

The official results will not be available until Wednesday, but it is expected that there will be 150 definite elections as a result of yesterday's first ballots, leaving the main battle for next Sunday. Nine Parisian seats have so far been won by supporters of the Premier, M. Poincare. One was secured by a Socialist. In 28 Paris constituencies second ballots will bo necessary. At midnight 21 Poincare candidates had been elected and three Opposition candidates. M. Poincare travelled 500 miles, from Sampigny and back, to vote. Later results confirm, the first-ballot victory for M. Poincare. Though the number of second' ballots will be greater than was expected 298 results have been announced. Of these 88 candidates have been elected outright. They comprise: Conservatives . . . . . . 3 Republicans . . . . . . 35 Left and Centre Parties .. 22 Radicals .-7 Socialists 21 Polling day had its humorous side. A Communist candidate's poster read: "Vote for nobody, least of all for me." The failure of M. Bokanowsky, Minister of Air, to adequately support Captains Costes and Lebrix in their round-the-world flight led to stormy scenes in his constituency.

The poli was a heavy one, 11,000,000 people voting. There were 3750 candidates. The ratio of occupations among these candidates was: Barristers, 385; journalists, 266; workers, 200; farmers, 186; doctors, 159; teachers, 90; bankers, 8; priests, 7.

Of the members of the Cabinet M. M. Briand (Foreign Minister), Herriot (Education) and Tardieu (Public Works) have been returned. M. Painleve (War) was no.t elected outright, but sdcured sufficient votes to entitle him to enter the second ballot.