GOVERNMENT DEFEATED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 793, 14 October 1929, Page 1

GOVERNMENT DEFEATED

Labour’s Win in Australia four ministers beaten Bruce Elected for Flinders (United I' A. —By Telegraph. — Copyright) Seceived 1.10 p.m. SYDNEY, Today. LABOUR has won a sensational victory in the Federal election, capturing- many seats. The Party is assured of a safe majority, with Mr. J. H. Scullin as Australia’s next prime Minister. The severity of the Nationalist-Country Party Government's defeat may be judged from the fact that four Ministers have lost their seats, and even Mr. Bruce’s return for Flinders was doubtful, but his re-election is now assured.

The state of parties in the House ([Representatives late tonight was as [allows:— Labour 38 Nationalists 10 Independent Nationalists 3 Country Party 9 Country Progressive Party 1 Independent ......... 1 Doubtful .. .. .. .. .. 13 Labour already is assured of a substantial majority, without the aid of the Independents and without considering the fate of the doubtful seats. The state of parties prior to the last dissolution was: — Nationalists .. .. _ .. « 30 Country Party ...... . . 13 Labour 32 The latest returns show that, of the IS doubtful seats, Labour is likely to win eight, giving that party 46 seats in the new Parliament. In Darling Downs, Queensland, the iorraer Speaker, Sir Littleton Groom, tiaading as an Independent Nationalist, defeated the selected Nationalist, Mr. Morgan, who was expected to win. Mr. E. A. Mann, one of the breakaway Nationalists, who voted with Mr. W. M. Hughes against the Government on the arbitration measure, was ideated in Perth as an Independent Nationalist,

The Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce's ’•eturn for Flinders is now beyond doubt, later figures being mostly in his favour. But he had a hard battle against Mr. E. J. Holloway, a well-known trade union leader, who long maintained his lead, being at one time 900 votes ahead. At the last election Mr. Bruce debated Mr. Holloway by 12,000 votes. A review of the whole position mows that both New South Wales #ud Victoria voted solidly against the Government, and In these States Libour will gain four or five seats. Tie Government is in danger of also toning seats in Tasmania and South Australia, but it may succeed in holding its position in Queensland and 'estern Australia. In not one case 'id the National or Country Parties wcceed in taking a seat from Labour. The “Morning Herald" editorially ‘ays: “The swing to Labour was wner or later bound to come. It is "markable that the Australian elecrate which is traditionally fickle, ■ laid have remained for so long conr ant to one party or to one combina"n of parties. It is nearly 13 years Labour Ministry sat on the <Weral Treasury benches, and never " lore has Labour been so emphati*ly approved at an appeal for popu'L co °fideuc e . Mr. Bruce’s coirragea Policy has been defeated, but only (ii “e day. The country'will learn in “ course that he is right.” ALMOST INCREDIBLE CHANGES mY' e c,lan 9es which have taken bare are almost incredible. In h °’ t \ e ?f the Nationalist strong- , in New South Wales, Vic®Pl* and Tasmania many old Lumbers have been replaced by oour candidates, whose chances victory were never dreamed of. pos ‘ t . ioa >n Victoria discloses a te »win K to Labour. There the i “ r?ate ot the votes cast for Labour ■■Sweater than at the previous "ineral Election. ; ; v ! ®f ure . 9 from Western Australia « 1 ‘ < \' DdicaUoa ° r iD e position of Aero r ® ere> but it is believed that tv 13 no material alteration. Sooth , out *°°k in Queensland and in ; a e “ Australia is more favourable for roDe I, but there is small in»i tt3 Bruce Party winning addiTh Seatsvo 3 BoTer nment will lose at least a * s fn Tasmania to Labour, Guv _;,‘ e3sr ”' J- A. Lyons and J. B. Pjfl’j a ° resigned from the State aj t 0 contest the election, are - mng positions at Wilmot and 3 respectively. F ° Ur ministers defeated Abhn»r Minis -«rs, Messrs. C. L. A. Wn /i Ho ™ Affairs), W. G. GibX. ... l ßo stmaster-General), Sir MM ?- Howse (Health and Remat'on), «, n d c . w . c . MarP nonorgry Minister), appear to th ? een defeated. However, Nevlli '* Stil * 11 sli 9 ht hope for Sir * Hoilse and Mr. Abbott. the r j* arr on h>s way back from sembly of the League of Mil „ ’ “ ut not due in Australia Aatp n e J C Meek. He has been badly A'aj- , for the Parkes (New South hrs,!, * eat bj' -Mr. E. A. McTiernan. Lanv" '^fr° rne }-General in Mr. J. Niuth 5,? Labour Government of New ~ Wai es noteworthy feature of the

election is the triumph of seme of the members who broke away from the late Government. These men were responsible for its defeat on the arbitration issue, which

precipitated the election. They are Messrs. W. M. Hughes, W. M. Marks, G. A. Maxwell and P. G. Stewart. Each lias a substantial majority. Especially is this so in the case of Mr. Hughes, who defeated Dr. L. W. Nott at North Sydney by 12,000 votes, end Mr. Marks, who already has a lead of 9,000 over his opponent for the Wentworth (New South Wales) seat, Mr. A. G. Manning. In Victoria, Mr. Maxwell has a firm grip of his seat at Fawkner, his lead over two opponents being 9,000, with ; only a handful of votes to come. The i same applies to Mr. Stewart, another ; recalcitrant, at Wimmera. anti-labour senate: Labour’s victory, by reason of its decisive nature, makes another election in the Federal sphere almost certain ill the near future, as the Senate, which is overwhelmingly anti-Laboui, is able to obstruct Labour’s programme. Tbe present state of parties in the Senate is:—Nationalists, 23: Country Party, 6; Labour, 7. j Moreover, it is believed that the Independent Nationalists, who broke ; away from the Government and re-; ceived Labour's support at the polls | yesterday, are bound to ally themselves with Mr. Scullin in the greater portion of his programme. MAGNIFICENT. SAYS SCULLIN The Federal Labour Leader, Mr. j Scullin, commenting on the results, : said they were magnificent. Mr. E. G. Theodore, Deputy-Labour Leadei, sa id- —“ Our gains are greater than I anticipated. We should have 44 seats > in the new Parliament.” i Mr. Hughes said the Government s . defeat had sounded the death knell | of tlie party machine. Arbitration was , to remain an integral part of Aus- j tralia’s social life. ■ Mr Bruce said he was deeply 'disjointed. He admitted the noticeable swing of the pendulum in favour of Labour and deplored the defeat of at least five of his old colleagues. Officials at the headquarters of the Nationalist Association express the opinion that the primary reason for , the Government’s defeat at the polls ! was the fear that with the abolition i of the Federal Arbitration Court an ; organised attempt by the anti-Labcur | forces would be instituted for an ail- j round reduction in wages. The enter- : tainment tax also helped to cloud the - real issue before the people.