MINISTERS SAFE.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12769, 15 April 1910, Page 3

MINISTERS SAFE.

[PEKBB ASfIbotATIOK-^-COPYRIGHT.] Sydney, April 14. Very few Federal election returns even of thY metropolitan area; are yet complete. . .(Tliotigh there was not a great deal of ibxciteinehtat the polls yesterday, the keenest interest was shown, in the result. Cheering crowds blocked the streets in the vicinity of all newspaper "Offices:, where the retttrny were posted, waiting till ah eatly Hour in the morning.' ; East Sydney (Sir Geo. -Reid's seat) yfa&- captured by Labour, which defeated the Liberal- par^ by over 3000 votes. At • Langy another fifty division, the Liberal candidate is leading by 74', with * few smaU returns to come. In South Sydney Mr Riley (Labour) pbliefi 12,599 aßaiiist Mr Eden George's 4400. At West Sydney Mr W. M. Hughes (Lab.) who took a prominent part in the late strike/ goes back with nearly 8000 to the; good.' North Sydney remained true to the Government, the Liberal candidate having a. handsome majority j as also did the Parkes and Wentworth divisions, where MeSsrs Bruce Smith and H. Kelly have long leads. In the Dafiey division Mr Hawe (Labour) defeated Mr Wilks (old Liberal member) byqverSOOO.^ "*•_ . Newcastle sent back Mr Watkms (Labour, old member) with a three to one majority."V '7. /'_" _„■ ; In Cook division of Sydney Mr Catts (Labour) lioWb his place with a two to one majority. Labour polled very strongly on the Barrier, Mr Josiah Thomas securing over 6000 supporters, and the Liberal candidate under 1000. Old Labour members-Messrs Spence (forDsrlihK),-Brown (for (Cobar) Webster (for Gwjrdir), Charlton (for HxintertVCarr (for Macquarie), Foster (for New England)^ Chanter (for Rivenna) Hall (for Werriwa)—hold safe positions, and it looks as if Labour^ will also capture Robertson, whereat is leading by over 1000. The Liberals have every prospect oi returning members for Illawarra, rwpean and Cowper. ;. . . Returns from other States are fill ' very incomplete. In Victoria the only complete returns are Melbourne J on, where Mr Matthews (old member, labour), secured a thumping majority; and Bourke, where Mr Astney (Labour) easily knocked out Mr HumeCook (the old Liberal member). In ten of twenty other seats Labour is leading; the Liberals have seven seats and the Independents three. _ ■ ~ The latest figures give MrDeakm (Premier) a lead of 507, and Sir John Quick (Postmaster-General) 544. The seat of Mr Mangher is threatened: but Mr Wm. Kriox is safe.. For fivo Tasmanian seats Labour tyas apparently a safe lead for three and the Liberals for one. The other is doubtful. . .. In Westralia (five seats) it lookß nko three going to Labour and two to the Liberals. . . - • T , . In Queensland (nine seats) Labour is leading with six, the Liberals having three.- Mr Groome, Minister of External Affairs, is safe for -Darling Downs; and Mr Foxton (Minister without portfolio) for Brisbane. Mr Fisher (Leader of the Labour In South Australia (seven members) Mr Glynn (Attorney-General) has been returned-unopposed. Labour is ahead in four of the seats, and the Liberals have two. • . -

The Senate figures are in. a. very backward state, 'and the returns are not likely to be completed for some days. But in all the States excepting Victoria, where two Labour and one Liberal hold the most prominent placs the Labour benches have the lead. TEo referendum vote is -still further behind. eJmall returns* to hand give the noes a majority on b<#b issties % The "Herald" heads its election report: "Labour Party's Success"--"Gains in all the States"-"A "Working Majority in Both Houses." The "Telegraph" announces a "brilliant victory for Labour. The "Herald" largely attributes Labour's victory to its splendid organisation, and says: ."If went into -The fight with everything ready to the la*t gaiter button. The Labour voter took, up his share of the burden with an easy confidence which was half-way to victory. As much ooi£d not be said of the Liberals, though their organisation was carried much further than in any previous campaigns. Ihe polling shows that the Liberals, in numerous instances, .slept upon their guns. The "Telegraph" says: '.'Whatever the final result, Labour is certain substantially to improve its position, while there is a fair possibility of it scoring an absolute majority in both Houses. If we are to have a Labour Ministry, it would be better that we should have) a strong one." .. " . , „ Sir John Forrest (Treasurer) is well ahead of the- Labour candidate in the Swan River (W, A.) electorate. The Victorian Liberal seats jn danger include those of Mbssts Crouch, Carty Salmon, JBrown and Robert! Harper. In South Australia Messrs Glynn, Poynton and. Archibald have been returned unopposed. -Labour is le'ading'for two of- the other seats and the Liberals in two. t » . Mr Batchelor's return is certain. The Victorian Labour party captured the Batman seat from the Liberals. The loss of the Corangamite seat m also practically certain.' . The Labour party are x ]uo:lant attne results of the elections. ,