AUSTRALIAN CONSCRIPTION

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11418, 22 December 1917, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN CONSCRIPTION

“ NO ” MAJORITY STEADILY INCREASING. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Sydney, Dec. 21. The “No” lead steadily increases. The totals now stands:— “No” 861,397 “Yes” 697,819 Majority .. .. 163,578 The tot .1 votes on the roll are 2,772,583. While it is generally accepted that there is very little hope of the present position being reversed, the figures are not accepted ns final. It is roughly estimated there are 300 000 soldiers’ and Kbsentees’ votes still unaccounted, from which a big proportion of “Yes” votes are expected. Assuming that the reinforcements propos 1 is definitely defeated, speculation as to the Government’s next move is already rife, although it is highly improbable that the Ministry will take action until after the holid ys. There may be a probability of a Federal election, but neither Mr Hughes nor the Ministers are prepared to make any comments. WESTRALIA VOTES “YES.” ! Sydney, Dec. 23. The “No” majority has increased to 1728,73. The “Yes” lead in Tasmania has been practic dly wiped out, leaving a majority only of thirty nine, but Westralia is

steadily increasing “Yes” the lead being now 23 507.