NO RETURNS COMPLETE.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13739, 3 June 1913, Page 5

NO RETURNS COMPLETE.

LIBERAL OUTLOOK IMPROVING

(Received June 2, 9.50 p.m.)

Sydney, June 2

Much of the delay in sending in the returns is duo to the bad state of the roads after the late heavy rains, tho absentee votes and the unsatisfactory condition of the rolls adding to the difficulties of the returning officers.

Not a single electorate has yet a completed count, but to-day's additions materially improved the Liberal outlook both for the House and the Senate, particularly as regards New South Wales. For the safe seats the majorities were increased, and for the doubtful ones their chances improved.

In Illawarra, which on the early returns looked a certain gain for \iabour, tho Liberal candidate has gone ahead. For Humo, whore Sir William Lyne is running as an Independent, Labour has fallen behind, and will possibly be defeated. For Riverina, another doubtful electorate, tho Liberal candidate has overhauled his Labour opponent.

The latest returns for Ballarat show that tho Liberal candidate is slightly ahead.

Mr King O'Malley, Minister of Home Affairs, is having a great fight for the Darwin seat in Tasmania. From a fair lead he has dropped behind the Liberal candidate.

Mr Fisher has unexpectedly badly out-distanced his! opponent for Wide Bay.