THE ELECTIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17219, 10 December 1923, Page 8

THE ELECTIONS.

WILL SINGAPORE GO?

AUSTRALIAN FEARS. By TVdagraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ; (Received December 10, 10.50 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 10. The Sydney “Morning Herald, ” commenting on the bearing of the British elections upon the question of preference recently granted to certain Ppminion products, says:—“Even if the Conservatives lose* office, we no Acxt suppose that such preference will be abolished. Another matter involved in the elections is the Singapore base, which would be a valuable adjunct to the defence of Australia JLabour is by no means enthusiastic About this base, and Mr Asquith has deprecated its construction. Should a Government other than Conservative Attain to power it is conceivable that Ah« scheme may be mo tuned.

WHAT P.R. WOULD HAVE DONE.

LOSSES FOR LABOUR. &T TVlegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 10, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, December 9. The secretary of the Proportional Representation Society (Mr John IT. Humphreys) writes to the Press that if proportional representation had operated in 548 contested seats, the Conservatives would have won 207 instead of 214, Labour would have won 168 instead of 189, and the Liberals 164 instead of 139, and the Independents nine instead of six.

A SEAT CHALLENGED.

Br Telegraph—Pre a* Association—Copyright Australian mid N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, December 9. • .The Labourites are taking legal advice over the counting of votes in pedgefield, which the Conservatives won with a majority of six. The comElaint is based on the fact that a undred properly marked ballot papers ad to be rejected because they had Bet been stamped by the polling booth