THE FEDERAL CONTESTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13093, 5 June 1913, Page 3

THE FEDERAL CONTESTS.

PROBABLE DEADLOCK

(Pre?* Assn.— -By Telegraph— Copyright.) | SYDNEY. June. 4. As tlie later returns arrive it is e\'ident that the poll was heavy e\'eryAvhere. It is estimated in round numbers that the votes cast in the 72 contested electorates up to this morning totalled about 200,000. The absent votes are not counted, and these range from a fcAV in some cases to seA'cral thousand in others, such as Perth, fo that even a number of the electorates counted as safo are not altogether out of. the stage of doubt. Whichever party Avins, the apparent margin will be so narroAv that the position of the new House will be.unsatisfactory and precarious. The Referenda count is likely to cover several more days. The running so far is closer than was anticipated. The voting to date on the six questions is as follows : — Yes. No. Trade and Commerce 457,229 486,713 Corporations ... 456,631 465,222 Industrial^ 458,879 475.250 Railways 450,912 464,264 Trusts ... 460,668 495,439 Monopolies ... .-.. 437,247 443,770 Tlie Senate figures are largely incomplete in all the States. The Voting in New South Wales is: Mr Gould (Liberal) 305,224, Mr Millen (Liberal) 298,---729, Mr Oakes (Liberal) 297,547. The nearest Labor candidate is Mr Grant, 256,371. In Victoria Mr Russell (Labor) has 275,662, Mr Barnes (Labor) 269,596, and Mr AlcKissick (Labor) 268,579. The nearest Liberal has 267,064. In Queensland, Mr Maughan (Labor) has 104,049, Mr Miller (Labor) 102,838, and Mr Ferricks (Labor) 102,480. The nearest Liberal ia Mr ChataAvay, with 95,302. In South Australia th© Labor candidates lead as folloAvs : — Air O'Loughlin 90,041, Mr Newland 89,820, Mr Senior 87,911. The nearest Liberal ia Mr -Vardon, with 76,574. In Western Australia the Labor men lead as folloAvs : — Air Pearce 64,750, Air Need-am 54,103, Mr Lynch 54,210. The nearest Liberal is Mr Butcher 47,124.. In Tasmania the Liberals -* lead as follows : — Air Keating 36,137, Mr Bakap 36,119, Mr Clements 35,112. The nearest Labor man is Mr Hurst, 31,789. Mr Fisher (Premier) and 'Mr Cook (Leader of the Opposition) decline to express a definite opinion uhtil the position is better defined. \ Air Hughes (Attorney-Gemeral) predicts a deadlock if the final returns give the Liberals a majority, for they can pass no Liavs AvhereAvith the Senate — Avhich has an overwhelming Labor majority — does not agree. They cannot even get supply, and one 'thing is certain he says, — responsible government under such circumstances is impossible. Illawarra and Ballarat are still seesawing. In the former constituency the Liberal has pulled the Labors lead down to 119. At Ballarat Labor is leading by eight, votes on the present figures. With the stipulation that absent vo^es may upset some calculations, the Herp.ld makes the position : — j Liberals 38 ; Labor 35 Doubtful 2 The Telegraph's opinion is : — Liberals ... ... ... 38, Labor ... ..... 37 The balance of opinion seems to faA'or Labor winning both doubtful seats, and the. final figures giving the Liberals a ! majority of one.