SOUTH AFRICA

Southland Times, Issue 19275, 20 June 1924, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA

ELECTION RETURNS LABOUR WINS ON RAND GOVERNMENT MAJORITY UNLIKELY. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) ('APETOWN, June 19. (Received June 20, 1.30 a.m.) The latest returns are as follows: SOUTH AFRICAN PARTY .. 46 NATIONALIST 41 LABOUR 18 INDEPENDENT 1 There are still 29 results incomplete. Two Ministers, Colonel Mcntz, Minister of Defence, and Mr Malan, Minister of Mines, were defeated. Ex-Administrator Robertson was defeated at Wakkerstroom. An unexpected Nationalist gain was the late General Botha’s old stronghold, Losberg. Other Nationalist gains were Marico, Rustenberg, Ventersdorf, and Heidieburg.

The Ministers Smirtt, Reitz, and Watt were re-elected. Twelve members have offered their seats to General Smuts.

In a message, General Smuts thanking his Committee, says: “Be of good cheer. From the wider- viewpoint which shapes National pel cy, our failure may yet prove a blessing in disguise. My faith in the future remains ss strong as ever, although the immediate outlook before the country is gloomy enough. In that faith we 11 hold on unflinchingly.” General Mnuts's defeat came as a great surprise. It was undoubtedly a severe r blow to the party. General regret is expressed that a statesman of his standing should have been rejected in his own constituency. It is not known at present whether he will seek another seat. The decision on this point will probably depend on the final issue of the elections. The landslide to Labour on the Rand is greater than was expected, and it has prejudiced the Government’s chances of securing a majority. On the other hand, in the urban constituencies of the Cape and Natal, the South African Party more than holds its own, having gained two seats from Labour in the Cape.