GOVERNMENT DEBACLE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17081, 14 October 1929, Page 7

GOVERNMENT DEBACLE

INCREDIBLE CHANGES LABORITES ENTHUSIASTIC (Klec. Tel. Copyright—United Tress Assn.) SYDNEY, October 13. The House, of Representatives election returns to midnight reveal a definite landslide to Labor, which is practically certain to have a good working majority, also that Mr. Scullin will bo Australia's next Prime Minister. Indeed, the Nationalist, and Country Party Government has suffered a debacle so great that even Mr. Bruce himself, who reigned nearly for seven years its Prime Minister, runs the 1 risk of losing his seat. Four Ministers, Mr. Abbot (Minister for Home Affairs), Mr. Gibson (Postmas-ter-General), Sir Neville Howse (Health and Reparations), and Mr. Marr (honorary Minister), appear to have been defeated. The latter is on his way back from the League of Nations' conference, but will not reach Australia until next week. He has been badly beaten iby Mr. McTierman, a former State. AttorneyGeneral in the Lang Government. There is still a slight hope for Sir Neville Howse and for Mr. Abbott. A feature of the checking last night was the battle in Flinders (Victoria), for the Prime Minister's seat, where Mr. E. J. Holloway, a well-known Trade Union leader, maintained the lead the whole of the evening, and when the counting ceased for the night, Mr. Bruce was still 900 votes behind with 6000 votes to come. However, Mr. Bruce should just manage to win when the preferences for his opponent are distributed. Mr. Bruce at/the last election defeated Mr. Holloway by no fewer than 12,000 votes BREAKAWAYS TRIUMPH

A noteworthy feature is the triumph of some Government breakaways—those members responsible for the Government's defeat on the Arbitration Court issue, which precipitated the election—namely, Mr. William . Hughes, Mr. Marks, Mr. Maxwell and Mr. .Stewart. Each has a substantial majority. Especially is this so in the case of Mr. Hughes, who defeated Dr. Nott 'by 12,000 votes, and in the case of Mr. Marks, who already has a 9000 lead over his oppoent, Mr. Manning. By an analysis of the parties early this morning, Labor had 44 seats within its grasp, while the Bruce-Page party had dwindled from 42 to 26, the remainder being held by Independent Nationalists. The "counting" will be resumed to-night. It is almost incredible the changes that have taken place in some Nationalist strongholds. In New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, many old members have disappeared, only to be replaced by Laboritos, whose chances of victory were never dreamed of. The position in Victoria, discloses a definite swing to Labor, where the aggregate of the votes cast for Labor is far greater than at any previous election. Mr Maxwell, one of the recalcitrants, has a 'firm grip, his lead being 9000, with only a handful of votes to come. The same applies to Mr. Stewart, another recalcitrant. . West Australian figures give no indication of the position of the parties, but it is-believed there will ibe no material alteration. The outlook in Queensland and South Australia is more favorable for the Gov* eminent, but there is small hope of the Bruce party winning additional seats. The Government is losing at least two seats in Tasmania to Labor, where Messrs. Lyons and Guy, who resigned from the State Parliament, to contest the election, are in the winning positions. LEADERS' COMMENTS

Mr. Scullin, Federal Labor leader, commenting on the result, says: "The results to date are magnificent." Mr Theodore, the deputy Labor leader, says: "Our gains are greater than 1 anticipated. We should have 44 seats in the new Parliament."

. Mr. Bruce is deeply disappointed. He admits the noticeable swing of the pendulum in favor of Labor and deplores the defeat of at least five of his old colleagues. Mr. Hughes says the Government's de feat sounds the death knell of the party machine. He adds: "Arbitration is to remain as an integral part of our social life."

Labor's victory, by reason of its decisive nature, makes another election in the "Federated sphere almost certain within the near future, as the Senate, wiiich is overwhelmingly anti-Labor, is able to obstruct the programme. Moreover, it is Relieved that the Independent Nationalist breakaways, who received Labor support yesterday, are bound to ally themselves, with ,Mr. .Scullin in the major portion of his programme. The " Sydney, headquarters of the National Association opines thaf_ the primary reason for the Government's defeat at the polls was the fear that with the-abolition of the Federal Arbitration Court, an organised attempt by the antiLnbor forces would be instituted for an all-round reduction in wages, while the entertainment tax also helped to cloud tho real issue before the people. Later.

Additional figures to-night' do not improve the Government's position. Labor has already an assured majority without the aid of the Independents, and without considering the fate of doubtful seats. The Prinie Minister is still nearly 500 votes behind in Flinders, hut wich the distribution of the Liberal candidate's, preferences his return is confidently expected,