The Thames Star. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1911. EDITORIAL. THE ELECTION RESULTS.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10126, 8 December 1911, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1911. EDITORIAL. THE ELECTION RESULTS.

■A'REVIEW OF THE POSITION As is most frequently the case in all elections some of the results are surprises. On the main question of Government and Opposition so far the returns show very little change. The -Opposition made a good fight, a better one than on the last occasion when an appeal was made to the electors ; but it is quite clear the Government still possesses the confidence of the country. All the Members of the_ Cabinet, with the exception of Sir John Findlay and i the Hon. David Buddo, have been returned, .though some members with decreased majorities, compared, with three years ago. The Parneil result is not a very great surprise, for interests were conflicting, and especially the presence of. ■ a purely Labor candidate had the effect of splitting the Liberal votes. There were other circumstances that militated against Sir John Fiudlay. He was looked upon as a stranger, and doubts were that his Wellington sympathies might still influence him, if returned for an Auckland constituency. Then the views of Mr Dickson were not much opposed to the Government policy, for he first contemplated standing as a Liberal. /The Opposition, however, accepted him, glad to find anyone who would oppose Sir John Findlay, a late member of Sir Joseph Ward's Cabinet. What •the result of the second ballot will be, altogether depends on the Labor party. r The straight issues on the ' liquor question has made the position more clear than at last election. The returns so far lead to the impression that no great advance has been made by the Prohibition party. The vote for National Prohibition is greater than anticipated, although little advance is shown on the local option side. However, this party can comfort itself that no restoration of licenses has taken place. The moderate section of the electors have evidently cast their votes in favor of continuance, hoping no doubt that some of the evils complained of may be removed by careful administration of the law as it stands, instead of the drastic remedy of total abolition. It is too early to write more than generally on the results of the election for the returns are not complete, aud no analysis of the details is possible. It. is however clear that the relative positions of the Government and Opposition will not be materially altered, nor will the voting .show much change in the opinions of the country on the Licensing question.