FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16918, 18 December 1922, Page 7

FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

THE STATE OF PARTIES. By Telegraph—Pres* Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 18, 10.5 a.m.? SYDNEY. December 18. One of the outstanding features of the polling was the remarkable apathy disclosed by the results to hand. The chief electoral officer was astounded, and says that never has such a small percentage been polled within his recoi lection. There will be very little in excess of 50 per cent, against the 75 per cent at last elections. The figures are still too indefinite to determine the probable state of the parties, which are largely dependent on the distribution of preference votes. These will not he cotinted until the postal ami absentee votes have been recoi vet 1, and this will defer finality for the greater part of a week. The nomadic vote is regarded aft likely to give most support to the country candidates, as rural li&? compels frequent absence from home. Both the Nationalist and Labour leaders claim the strongest party in the new Parliament, but figures to date indicate that Labour, with over thirty seats, will have the distinction. Speculation has also commenced regarding the possibility of a liaison between the Nationalist and Country Parties: but. judging by the bitter comment exchanged by both leaders on the progress result, an alliance docs not seem to have rosy chances.

Under present conditions, it is sug gested in some quarters that the Country Party would support the Nationalist Party with a new leader. Otherwise it would give trouble till a fresh election was ordered.

UNPROMISING POSITION. SYDNEY. December 18. The present indefiniteness of the position. and the possibilities from preference votes are indicated by the “ Morning Herald’s ” summary of the results to date, which gives:

The " Daily Telegraph ” contents itself with predicting that the new House will consist of:

The latest figures have considerably j improved the jxisition of the Hon Sir i Elliot Johnson. Speaker of the House, j and the Hon Walter Massy Greene (Minister of Defence), hut the Hon Alex Poynton, Postmaster-General, is \ still a long way in the rear. The Hon W. Higgs appears to he* ) beaten. The Liberals’ hopes are badly crushed, with poo-r chances that later returns will improve matters much. For the three Wes-tralian seats in the Senate a L-n bon rite and two Nationalists arc leading. j WILL HUGHES RESIGN? By Telegrraph- Prtom Association —Cop.vritrh*! Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. i (Received December 18. 12.30 p.m./ I SYDNEY, December 18. j The “Sydney Morning Herald” at j tributes the apathy of electors, per- ; initting Labour gains, to the iifcotio, j ill-founded antipathy between the Na j tionalist and Country Parties, which ! caused disgust among their supporters, j It says: “ LUless the Country Party is j prepared to give support to Mr Hughes | he had better meet the matter early. j and again appeal to the country.” • The “ Daily Telegraph” says: 'The j real fight was between Socialism and j anti-Social ism. and Socialism has been ; routed. Only the folly of the anti So j cialist parties themselves in the new ! House can rob them of the fruits of | victory.” The “Melbourne Age” says. “The! new Parliament will consist of four , parties, and the dictatorship of one man. with a narrow but docile major- < it v. is no longer possible ” The “ Age ’ i experts that Mr Hughes will lesig.i j without meeting Parliament. I

Nationalists . 25 T, a hour . ■« • . iK Country Party . 8 . . 2 Doubtful . 18

- / r THE WEATHER. THE KING’S POWERS. « STAR ” SPECIAL FORECHALLENGED IN CAST. COMMONS. The forecast of weather conditions which may be expected to prevail during a period of twentyfour hours from 2.30 p.m. daily. LABOUR MEMBER’S BREAK. B 1 - Telegraph -Press Association—Copyright Reuter's Telegrams. (Received December 18, 9.10 a.zn.) CANTERBURY FORECAST. LONDON. December 17. — In the Horae of Commons, before ■ Black Rod had summoned the mem Wind : Fresh north-east changing to hers to hear the prorogation speech southerly later. m the House of Lords, Mr Lansbu-y Weather: Fair in meantime but ex1 (Labour) raised a point of privilege. jvect rain later. i He maintained that the House of ComF. L. Y'OOLF.S. : rnons was entitled to decide whether ' 7 it would adjourn without being into* GOVERNMENT FORECAST. fered with by the Crown or any out 1 side body. Ho referred to the remark ! able scene in 1692. when the door was * locked and the Speaker was forcibly Wind.—The indications are for south | detained in the Chair, as an example easterly moderate to strong prevailing Weather—The weather appears likeIv to be cloudy and unsettled with rain following. i of the preservation of the Commons privileges. j Mr Lansbury said that it would be a crime to adjourn with nothing done tendency. The Speaker ruled out Air Laos btirv’s claim, and said that the Con • stitution provided that Ids Majesty THE NEAR EAST. could summon or prorogue Parliament THE WAGES CUT. FATE OF MOSUL. REQUEST BY MR HOLLAND. BRITAIN’S NOTE TO (Per Press Association.) ANGORA. GREY MOUTH. December 18. Mr FI. Holland, leader of the Par — liamentary Labour Party, yesterday telegraphed the Prime Minister urging Bv Telegraph—Pres* Association—Copyright that in view of the clearly expressed \u«tralian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 18. 8. oa.m.) announce that there will be no further hM'SANNE. December 16 cut in public servants’ waRfs. | A British Note to the Turks deals with the technical, strategical, economic and political reasons why Britain NEW AMBASSADOR. opposes Turkey’s claim to dispose of Mosul and adds: “The (rue ownvr of Mosul is King Fpisul. of Irak, whoso JAPANESE APPOINTMENT. tiations with the Angora Government regarding Mosul’s fate. By Telegrraph — Press Associa tion—Copyright PROGRESS OF CONFERENCE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 18. 8.5 a.m.) rOKlO. December lfi. — Cabinet has confirmed the appointBv Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ment of Air Hanihara as Japanese Ambassador at Washington. Australian and N.Z. ("able Association. (Received December 18. 12.35 p.m.) LAUSANNE. December The Conference has notified the SoFEDERAL ELECTIONS. vict delegates that the examination of + the Straits question will he resumed tomorrow It is intimated that Allied THE STATE OF PARTIES. By Telegraph—Prw* Association—Copyright complete their tasks next week. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 18, 10.5 a.m.) Christmas or New Year. SA DXE\. December 18. One of the outstanding features of the polling was the remarkable apathy A THORNY SUBJECT. disclosed by the results to hand. The cliiel electoral officer was astounded. - and says that never has such a small (Received December 18. 12.oo p.m.) percentage been polled within his recoi lection. There will be very little in exLAUSANNE. December 1<. cess of 50 per cent, against the 75 per The Turkish insistence on the removal cent at last elections. the patriarchate from Constantinople : The figures are still too indefinite to i i. likelv to prove a thorny subject. Mr 1 determine the probable state of the Child the American onlooker, voiced parties, which are largely dependent on America’s objection. He pointed out > 1 be distribution of preference votes that the patriarchate was established r l hose will not he counted until the 1 v Turkey herself, and not by a foreign postal and absentee votes have been rePower and declared that the United ceived. and this will defer finality for States would oppose the removal. the greater part of a week. The Turks contend it is absolutely The nomadic vote is regarded a« peec«sarv to remove the patriarchate likelv to give most support to the connand curtail the temporal privileges of try candidates, as rural li&? compels the clergy. frequent absence from home. M Oolamanns declared that Greece Both the Nationalist and Labour could not accept the proposal. leaders claim the strongest party in the now Parliament, but figures to dat^ . HOSPITAL SHIP BURNED. indicate that Labour, with over thirty - seats, will have the distinction. Speculation has also commenced ye- j garding the possibility of a liaison ho- j neuter's Telegram* t ween the Nationalist and Country Par(Received December 18. 12.5.5 p.m.) CONSTANT!XOPLE. December 17. ties: but. judging by the bitter comment exchanged bv both leaders on the progress result, an alliance docs not A French hospital ship was destroyed by fire, and three women and three ihildren were burned to death. A number of others are missing. British and American destroyers assisted in the Under present conditions, it is sug gested in some quarters that the Country Party would support the Nationalist Party with a new leader. Otherwise work ot rescue. it would give trouble till a fresh election was ordered. FRANCE AND CANADA. UNPROMISING POSITION. + COMMERCIAL CONVENTION. SYDNEY. December 18. Bv Telegraph —Press Association —Copyright The present in definite ness of the poAustralian and N.Z. Cable Association. “ Morning Herald's ” summary of the (Received December 18, 9.30 a.m.) BARIS, December 17. A Franco-Canadian commercial conNationalists . . .25 Labour . •« • . 'si ' Country Party « Liberals . . . 2 Doubtful . . . .18 mention has been signed. It is of indefinite duration, but is terminable at six months’ notice. The ' Daily Telegraph ’ contents itself with predicting that the new i IT to that granted the United States. House will consist of: In the ease of French colonies with N'-ationalists . . .31 their own tariffs Canada is to receive I.abo.ir .... 30 j most favoured nation treatment. Country Parbv . • .IP Canada grants France the Canadian Liberals .... 3 j intermediate tariff and most favoured Independent . « - I lciiou treatment generally.