A KEEN FIGHT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10545, 23 March 1920, Page 6

A KEEN FIGHT

N.S.W. ELECTION DEFEAT OF HOLMAN GOVERNMENT ALMOST CERTAIN. LABOUR WELL AHEAD. By Telegraph-Press Assn.—Copyright (Received March 22, 10.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 22. A careful analysis of the election figures revised to-day shows the probable composition of the new Parliament as follows: Labour 42 Nationalists 27 Progressive Doubtful 10 Ministers are anxiously watching the present indefinite position, and are obviously prepared for a small Labour majority. Both sides, however, are very cautious owing to the possibility of an evenly-divided House, with the almost certain dofpat of the Holman Ministry. Whether the Labourites have a majority or not they certainly have the strongest party. The Governor is almost certain to commission Mr Storey (Labour Leader) to form a Ministry, although in certain quarters it is considered that another election will he necessary shortly to secure a workable Parliament. .. Mr Grahame. late Minister for Agriculture, is definitely defeated in Newcastle Division. The only member ot the present Cabinet likely to lose his seat is Mr Crane, Assistant-Minister for Lards. The intricacies of selecting in preferential order, in some cases Loni twenty candidates, and the multiplicity of instructions, perplexed the electors, and possibly accounted for the light poll and the heavy informal vote.

The features of the election were the rejection of all the Socialist and women candidates and the failure ot the Soldiers’ and Citizens’ party. Should Mr Holman be defeated two elected Nationalists have offered to resign in his favour, but tbo now Act under which the elections are held makes no provision for a hy-election until the new Parliament approves necessary regulations.