FEDERAL ELECTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24421, 5 October 1940, Page 11

FEDERAL ELECTIONS

ONLY ONE SEAT UNDECIDED SLIGHT SWING TO LABOUR " SYDNEY, Oct, 4. (Received Oct. 5, at L3O a.in.) With only one Federal seat'undecided—Maranoa, in Queensland—which is a likely gain by Labour, it is now possible to survey what hap pened at the recent Federal elections. The state'of parties remains 36 all, with two Independents. New South Wales electorates revealed a heavy swing to Labour, who won 16 out of 28 seats, taking five from the Government parties. Labour also' won one seat in Victoria, and seems certain of winning the last undecided seat, Maranoa. Its losses are two in, Tasmania and one in South Australia. Labour’s net gains.are thus five seats throughout the Commonwealth. Here and there in a fight; between ; rival .Vfactions., official Labour has triumphed’ at the expense of the Beasley ; hon-Communist group, whose numbers are ‘ diminished to four in the House of Representatives. The’bickerings which preceded the elections have now .died out, and it is expected that when the lirie-up takes place in the House Labour will, present a.united front. . In all States other than New South Wales there was no noticeable swing to Labour. The Government’s majority, however, would have entirely disappeared but for the unexpected rally in Tasmania, where two Labour seats reverted tp the United Australia Party. The position in Western Australia is “as you were,’* but the tragic death this week of “Texas” Green in Kalgporlie. although it brings Labour’s total seats , back to 35-. does not dispose of the fact that the seat will, again go to Labour. ■ v Outstanding features of the election were the return of Dr Evatt m Barton, New South Wales, by a heavy majoritv over a strong opponent and the close call experienced by the Federal Labour leader, Mr J Curtin, whose” majority in Fremantle. with 60.000 voters, was only 604. THE SENATE CONTESTS COUNTING NOT YET COMPLETED SYDNEY, Oct. 3. The Senate count will not be .concluded for a fortnight, owing to the delay in receiving soldiers’ votes. It is generally expected that Labour will win only in New South Wales, thereby reducing the Government’s majority in the Senate to one. . Thb Federal elections are thus a virtual stalemate, capable of producing a major political crisis in the event of Labour declining to be associated with a National Government. which according to political observers, is the only way out. Authoritative Labour oeinion is already declarin'* that in no circumstances will the l abour accent fewer than half the portfolios in ?rv National Government. Labour also demands the right to select its own Ministers. The position will b° surveyed at the conference of Parliamentary leaders convened by Mr Menzies for Monday.