LABOUR REPULSED IN N.S.W.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20106, 13 May 1935, Page 7

LABOUR REPULSED IN N.S.W.

RETURN OF COALITION CABINET OPPOSITION’S RECAPTURE OF LOST SEATS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received May 12, 6.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 12. The New South Wales election results fully realised the hopes of the majority of the Government supporters, who anticipated the loss of a number of seats. Indeed, it is possible the loss of “marginal” seats will not be as great as many Government supporters anticipated, and the outcome of the polling is that the Government Parties have been returned with a majority falling not so far short of the unprecedented majority in last Parliament. The results of the polling to date are: Government United Australia Party .... 34 United Country Party .. 23 57 Opposition State Labour Party 28 Doubtful 5 Recapture of Seats State Labour appears certain to regain Canterbury,. Granville, Hurstville and Mudgee, by narrow margins. Arncliffe, Petersham, Bathurst, Castlereagh, and Goulburn are in doubt. Former Lang Ministers, Messrs Ely and Dunn, who were defeated at the 1932 election are likely to regain Granville and Mudgee seats respectively. Mr Dunn, on the first count, has 800 majority in a straight out contest with a Government candidate (Mr D. H. Spring), but Mr Ely’s success depends on the counting of preferences. At present he is 400 votes behind the Government candidate (Dr. C. C. Fleck), but preferences in respect to the 1800 votes cast for the Federal Labour and the Communist candidates are' likely to favour him substantially. The Centre Party led by Colonel Eric Campbell of the New Guard, fared badly. Colonel Campbell was defeated in a straight-out contest with the Minister of Health (Mr Fitzsimmons) by 10,000 votes. Another Centre Party candidate was defeated by 9000, while the votes cast for the two remaining Centre Party supporters are so negligible that they are certain to lose their deposits. All three Douglas Credit candidates are likely to lose their deposits. Federal Labour candidates failed to win one seat, and twelve of them are likely to lose their deposits. Challenge to Mr Lang The Federal Labour leader (Mr J. B. Chipley) polled well in a straightout contest with Mr Lang in Auburn, where the State Labour leader was returned with a majority of a little over 2000. The Premier (Mr Stevens) had an absolute majority of over 4000 against State Labour and Douglas Credit candidates in his electorate at Croydon.

Mr Bruxner (Leader of the Country Party) was returned unopposed, and all other Ministers were re-elected with substantial majorities. Mr A. Richardson (United Australia Party) has an absolute majority in Ashfield, against the sitting member Major Jarvie, who stood as an Independent U.A.P. candidate and Mr Bruce (a State Labour candidate).

As anticipated the Lang Labour Party retained all the seats it held in last Parliament, and it is noteworthy that it was successful in all cases in which it conducted straight-out contests with candidates of the Federal Labour Party.

Two of the seats still in doubt were, prior to 1932 held by Mr Lang’s Ministers, who were defeated in that year.

Goulburn was held by Mr Tully, who is recontesting it, and Petersham was held by Mr Lamaro, who is not recontesting the seat. Mr W. F. Sheahan is the State Labour candidate for Petersham.

Mr Gosling was the only other of Mr Lang’s defeated lieutenants to recontest a seat, but he lost further ground in his electorate at Kogarah, where the U.A.P. man has a comfortable absolute majority. Comment by Leaders

The Premier, Mr Stevens, in a broadcast comment, said: The United Parties had an -excellent working majority. The poll was capable of only one interpretation, namely approval of the Government’s policy in the last few years, and the policy contemplated for the future. The Cabinet accepted the verdict as a trust, which would not be betrayed.

Mr Bruxner (Leader of the United Country Party) supporting Mr Stevens said he regarded the result, not so much as a great victory, but as a great responsibility. Mr J. Lang (Leader of the State Labour Party) commenting on the results, said that there had been a swing to Labour, and although it was not enough to defeat the Government, it indicated the trend of events. Had the campaign gone another fortnight, he was confident his Party would have sprung a surprise. AH the Communists, except one, will lose their deposits. FEDERAL LEADER’S COMMENT United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received May 12, 7.30 p.m.) . DUBLIN, May 11. The Australian Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons), commenting on the elections in New South Wales, said: “It is needless for me to say how glad I am at the result, which once again assures New South Wales of sound, sane and progressive government.”