SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19203, 20 June 1924, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS.

PACT’S LEAD INCREASED. NATIONALISTS GAIN HEAVILY. MESSAGE FROM GENERAL SMUTS. “BE OF GOOD CHEEE.” Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. CAPETOWN, June 18. (Received Juno 19, at 9.20 p.m.) Tho latest election returns aim as follows : South African Party 45 Labour Nationalists - 41 Independent There are still 29 results incomplete. Two Ministers—Colonel Mcntz (Defence) and Dr Malan (Mines)—have been defeated. Tho ex-Administrator (Mr Robertson) was unexpectedly defeated at W akkerslroom. A Nationalist gain was General Botha s old stronghold of Losberg and other Nationalist gains were Marico, Rustenberg, Venae rsdorp, and Hsidelburg. Messrs Smartt, Reitz, and Watt imembers of the Cabinet) were re-elected. Twelve members have offered their scats to General Smuts. In a message thanking his committee General Smuts says; Be of good cheer, Trom wider viewpoints which shape National policy our failure may yet prove a blessing in disguise. My faith in the future remains as strong as ever, although the immediate outlook before the country is gloomy enough. In that faith we will hold on unflinchingly.—Reuter. Tho position of tho parties after tho election in 1921 was as follows: —South African Party, /4; A atioualists, 47; Labour, 12; Independent, 1. AN EARLIER MESSAGE. LABOUR’S SUCCESS ON THE RAND. LITTLE HOPE FOR THE GOVERNMENT. CAFF,TOWN, June 18. General Smuts’s defeat came as a great surprise. It was undoubtedly a severe blow to the party, immoral regret is expressed that a statesman of his standing should have been rejected in his own constituency. It is not known at present whether ho will seek another seat. Tho decision on this point will probably depend on tho final issue of the elections. Tho landslide to Labour on the Rand is greater than was expected, and it has prejudiced the Government’s chances of securing a majority. On the other hand in tho urban constituencies of the Cape and Natal the South’ African Party more than holds its own, having gained two seats from Labour in the Cape. The Labour Party now stands at 18, an' increase of five compared with the last Parliament, but it cannot gain any more seats. Tho issue hangs on the country returns from tho Transvaal and the Cape, where the Government has a good hope of gaining some seats, but as the Pact is now leading there appears to bo small hope of a Government majority. At the same time it is unlikely that the Pact will obtain a workable majority.

Two ministers have been returned—viz., Mr P. Duncan (Minister of the Interior) and Colonel Reitz (Minister of Lands). —A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE LATEST RETURNS. VICTORY Of TUfT VIRTUALLY ASSURED. CAPE TOWX. June 18. (Received June 20. at 1.1 5 a.m.) Twenty-one result-; are sti'l awaited. 1 and if the decision in those electorate'; is the same as at the last election the Pact will have a majority of 22.—Renter.

Mr Snowden declared that the Budget had made the greatest, reduction in fond taxes ever known. He had done so intending ultimately to abolish them altogether, but if the preference wcH n tinns were adopted thev must sav gnod-bve to the remission of fond faxes during their parliamentary career. CLOSE OF THE DEBATE. Mr Austin Chamberlain, in winding up the debate, contrasted the attitude of the Treasury bench. Mr Thomas felt that he was doing an ungracious thing, and did not like the lash. 'Mr MacDonald felt it necessary but ungracious. Mr Snowdon did a disagreeable thing and loved it. The controversy, however, was emerging from tho party stage, and support was no longer confined to tho Unionist benches. Amid Opposition cheers he demanded to know if the Government would dare to face the consonnonces if dominions to-morrow sent an ultimatum that every nrcfercnce should bo removed, and if there was no response. Tho divisions followed, and were greeted with cheers and eoimter-eheers. Mr Baldwin's abandonment of the remainin'? resolutions evoked Labour '-vies of “Oh” and the unanswered ouestion from Mr W. IV. P.enp (T.iD ); “Are we to understand that all these resolutions are shams ?” The House specd'H rose.—A. and X.Z. and Sydney Sun Cables. ANNOUNCEMENT OF FIGURES. UNIONISTS ALONE UNANIMOUS. LONDON. June 18. (Received June 1,9. at 9 40 p.m.) Tho Daily Express save, that the excitement clurin? the closing scenes was int-ns'-Many thought that Preference had hist won and there was a gnsn of surprise when the figures were announced. “ Three ehe.ers for the Little Englanders,” shouted someone. The Daily Telegraph snvs that among the Unionists alone was there unanimity. Two hnnd'-ed and fifty vote.] out of a. possible of 257. Mr Campion had already applied for the Chihern Hundreds and was therefore nn.aHe to vote. It is estimated that between 20 and 30 Labourites favoured the four resolutions and voted accordingly. The rest abstained. The Dnilv Chronicle, commenting on Mr MacDonald’s speech, points out, that he Hew hot and cold, -and seemed to fear to be misunder-tnnd in the dominions. He added : “f will not be happv in resisting these proposals, but I must.”—A. and N.Z. Cable. AUSTRALIAN FOODSTUFFS. GOVERNMENT ’MARKETING IN BRITAIN. AN IMPORTANT PROPOSAL. LONDON. June 18. (Received June 19, at 9.25 p.m.) During the Preference debate Mr Snowden promised that the Government would ea.rnest.lv consider Mr Baldwin’s proposal, which, he understood, was that the Gov eminent should arrange with the Government of Australia that the whole of Australia's production should be sent to Britain and distributed by the Government at cost price. The Government, had already gone some distance in that direction, because it had proposed to tho dominions the establishment of a permanent E-onornie Committee to consider the possibility of increasing the consumption of Empire food products in the United Kingdom and promoting the interests of both producer and consumer,—Reuter.