NEW STATE PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Times, 12 September 1907, Page 5

NEW STATE PARLIAMENT

A PREMIERS TRIUMPH SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY FOR MB CARRUTHERS. LABOUR GAINS SLIGHTLY. By Telegraph—Press Association— J Copyright SYDNEY, September 11. The Premier, Mr J. H. Carruthers, expresses himself as .well satisfied with the result of yesterday’s elections. It is reckoned the Government has gained seven seats, and the Labour party has gained eight, but lost others, making the net gain for Labour three seats. The estimated state of parties is— Ministerial 55 Labour 29 Independents ... ... '6 Mr Carruthers was returned by a majority of 3700 at St. George, whore he was opposed by Mr G. Black, a Labour candidate. At Gordon, Mr C. G. Wade, Attor-ney-General and Minister of Justice, who was responsible for the liquor and gaming laws, had a majority of 3300 over Mr S. E. Hutton, Labour. All the members of the Government were returned by substantial majorities. The seats of two Ministers (Messrs Dick and Ashton) who retired were won by Ministerialists. These were Newcastle, where Mr 0. Gilbert defeated Mr L. P. Vial (Labour), and Goulburu, won by Mr A. G. F. James from Messrs J. A. Gegg and T. Rose (Independent) and R. Holloway (Labour). LOCAL OPTION POLL. STRONG VOTE FOR REDUCTION. (Received September 12, 0.35 a.m.) ' SYDNEY, September IX. With three seats still in doubt, the ‘latest returns indicate that Ministerialists will oust Labourites at Orange and Macquarie, while a Labourite will oust a Ministerialist at Blayney. The local option count is progressing slowly. Of fifteen completed electorates three voted for continuance of licenses, and twelve for reduction. In five of these twelve the no-ITcense vote was larger than the continuance and reduction combined, but reach the three-fifths majority - necessary to make no-lioenso effective. Though it now looks as if no electorate will carry no-licenso right out, the vote for reduction will prove effective in very many electorates. >

The Act provides that where nolicense is not carried the vote counts with that for reduction. No-license advocates profess that they are well satisfied with the result, regarding it as an excellent beginning and much better than New Zealand’s first attempt. AN ABORTIVE POLE. (Received September 12, 1.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, September 11. Tn the Allowrie electorate, where a member was -returned unopposed, the . local option poll was taken and nolicense carried, but as 30 per . cent, of the ©lectors did not vote the poll is non-effective.