IS BALDWIN OUT?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17218, 8 December 1923, Page 1

IS BALDWIN OUT?

LIBERAL WAVE CLAIMED BY LONDON PRESS. LABOUR GAINS IN METROPOLIS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright-—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. (Received December 8, 10.4 a.m.) LONDON, December 7. The state of parties at four o’clock this morning was;— Conservatives ~ .. . . .. 222 Liberals ... .. .. . . .. 128 Labourites .. . . .. . . ISB Independents .. . .. .. 8 The losses are:—Conservatives, 86; Liberals, 23; Labour, 12; Independent, 1. The gains are:—Conservatives, 8; Liberals, 60; Labour, 51. The voting strength of each party is as follows: Conservatives .... i.. 1,982,000 Liberals ... >.. 1,509,000 Labour ~ .. .. 1,904,000 The newspapers do not attempt any editorial comment on the results, but the headlines partially indicate their views. “ The Daily Telegraph ” and “ Morning Post ” are obviously disappointed. They admit many Liberal gains. The Liberal papers describe the results as a Liberal wave. Tire “ Dsuly Herald ” stresses the fact that Labour is in front of the Liberals, and says that Mr. Baldwin’s policy everywhere has suffered a setback, while Labour has gained twelve seats in and around London.

The night scenes in London were wierdly wonderful. Fog blotted out the blazing electric lights of Piccadilly Circus, Shaftesbury A venire, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, and the huge crowds were transformed into phantom multitudes. Everywhere screens had been erected on which to flash the results, but these were seen only by those close to them, who passed on the news to the invisible throngs.

Great cheering was heard in Trafalgar Square, but nothing was seen except stray torches, fireworks and coloured lights. Hawkers trundled barrows selling hot chestnuts and fruit among the crowds, as well as rattles, mouth organs and other noise-makers. Owing to the weather the hotels and clubs were crowded, as thousands had the greatest difficulty in getting home. The street traffic in many parts was stopped, and the ballot boxes were collected with difficulty. Several from Camberwell were reported to be lost, but later arrived at the Town Hall. The results, consequently, were later than usual. There were lively scenes at Battersea. Outside the Town Hall an enormous crowd repeatedly sang the “Red Flag,” and indulged in free fights. Mr. S. Saklatvala, the defeated Paraee Communist candidate at Battersea North, appealed from the balcony for order. The new Member, Mr. Hodgin (Liberal) managed to leave the Town Hall uninterfered with, but the crowd remained noisy, and several arrests were made.

The polling generally passed off quietly. Eight centenarians voted, including Mrs. Lett, of Birmingham, who is 103. John Bright’s daughter voted for Free Trade. In the Wells division of Somerset the Labour Party organised bands of women to attend to children and invalids while the mothers voted.