N.S. WALES ELECTIONS

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 55

N.S. WALES ELECTIONS

HEAVY POLLING. LIBERAL VICTORY PREDICTED. SYDNEY, December 7. The weather was tine throughout the State yesterday, and the voting was heavy. The city and suburban returns are practically complete, but the country returns are still largely in arrears. Labour wins Annanclale, where Mr Griffith (Minister of Labour) has defeated Mr Brunsneil, an old Liberal member, and also Granville, where Mr John Nobbs, a very old Liberal identity, loses to Mr J. T. Lang what was always considered a safe seat. Parramatta, another Liberal seat, held by Mr Moxham in the last Parliament, is still in jeopardy. All the Ministers are safe. Mr Holman holds a secure load, and Mr M'Gowen romped in with a big majority, as also did Mr Wade, Leader of the Opposition. Mr Beeby, Leader of the Progressive party,, got a bad fall at Waverley, ami Sir William M'.Millan, who ran ne an Independent against the selected Liberal candidate at Willoughby, was badly defeated. The now Parliament will miss a picturesque figure, Mr Henry Willis, Speakcr, who holds a hopeless irosition'at Upper Hunter. The Labour machine got a knock at Botany, where Mr Page, the sitting Labour member, who failed to secure the caucus selection, ran away from Mr D. H. Johnstone, the selected candidate. The Labour party is threatened with the loss Of two scats —Gwydir (Mr G. A. Jones) and Mumnnbidgee (Mr P. M‘Garry). Of the electorates where second ballots are needed, the Liberals are leading in 10 and the Labour party in three. Of the total of 90 seats, including those where second ballots are required, the Labour party has won or is leading in 45, the Liberals in 43, and the Independents in four. December 8. One of the surprises of the election was the defeat, of Mr R. H. Levien, the Father of the Assembly, for 'Tamworth, which seat, as an Independent, he has represented for 33 years. He is nr* even one of - the two candidates who will have to go to the second ballot. With the absent votes still to be counted. Mr Hall (Minister of Justice) lias a majority of 72 for Hawkesbnry. At Belmore, represented by Mr P. J. Minahan, a second ballot will be necessary. Mr M‘Garry (Labour) is now safe for the Mumnnbidgee scat. Altogether there will be 14 second ballots'. The Socialist and Beeby parties arc completely wiped out. Mr Beeby, in accepting the inevital.de, declared that he was convinced there was no place for a third party in the House. The corrected figures e: the first ballots arc - Liberals, leading or elected... 44 Labour (do) ... 43 Independent 3 The Morning Herald predicts that the final state of parties after the second ballots will ho as follows: —Liberals, 45: Labour, 41; Independents, 4. Mr Holman (Premier) expressed satisfaction with the result so far. He anticipates that Labour will finish the fight with a good working majority. Mr Wade (Liberal Loader) is hopeful of capturing three seats from Labour, thus securing a majority. Mr Hall lias dropped into second place behind the Liberal candidate in the Enmore electorate, but the small uncounted postal vote is insufficient to avert a second ballot. These ballots have been fixed for the 13th inst. in the city and for the 23rd inst. in the country. To-day’s election returns have not altered the position greatly, but have if anything strengthened the Liberal position somewhat. It is now possible to state that the Labour Party has won, or practically won, 35 seats, the Liberals 32, and the Independents one. This leaves eight -in doubt on the first ballot, and 14 requiring a second baliot. Of the 22 doubtful seats, the Liberals are leading in 14

In several electorates the contests are so close that the absent votes, though small, are likely to prove the deciding factor. Labour looks like losing Asburnham, Bingara, and Macquarie. The official no-license figures are not yet available. THE LIQUOR QUESTION. SYDNEY, December 6. The No-license supporters are again hopeful of voting one or two electorates “ dry,” but their victory is regarded as doubtful in face of the keen and determined opposition of the Liquor party. The liquor question has been more hotly argued, and more strenuous fighting has occurred over it than at any previous election. No official figures regarding the Nolicence poll are yet available, but it is known that not a single electorate has voted No-license, though the ” dry •” vote will show an increase.