LATEST POLLING RETURNS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20385, 14 October 1929, Page 11

LATEST POLLING RETURNS.

STATE OF THE PARTIES.

LABOUR'S SAFE POSITION.

38 SEATS IN NEW HOUSE.

NATIONALISTS ON DEFEAT.

(Received October 14. 1.25 a.m.) SYDNEY. Oct. 13. The stato of parlies late to-night as a result of tho Federal election is:—

Labour .. t.. 38 Nationalists .. .. ... 10 Independent Nationalists t .. 3 Country Party 9 Country Progressive Party .. 1 Independent .. .. .. 1 Doubtful 13

These figures do not improve the Government's position. Labour already is assured of a substantial majority, without tho aid of tho Independents and without considering tho fate of tho doubtful seats. Tho Primo Minister still is nearly 500 behind in Flinders. However, with tho distribution of tho preference votes of tho Liberal candidate (Mr. J. Birch) his return is confidently expected. Officials at tho headquarters of tho Nationalist Association express tho opinion that tho primary reason for the Government's defeat at the polls was the fear that with tho abolition of tho Federal Arbitration Court an organised attempt by tho anti-Labour forces would ho instituted for an all-round reduction in wages. Tho entertainment tax also helped to cloud tho real issue before the people.

BRITISH LABOUR.

INCREASED PRESTIGE.

INFLUENCE ON THE RESULT.

Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received October 13, 11.5 p.m.) NEW YORK. Oct. 13. A despatch sent from Australia to Mr. Mac Donald, indicates that tho Federal Labour Party has won 50 seats in the House of Representatives. It says tho increased prestige of the British Labour Government had contributed to the success of the Australian Labour Party. Yesterday Mr. Mac Donald had expressed his great interest in the issues of tho Australian campaign as outlined to him by Mr. Herbert Brookes, Australian Trade Commissioner.