BLOW FOR LABOUR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 110, 12 May 1931, Page 8

BLOW FOR LABOUR

REJECTION IN TASMANIA CONFIDENCE IN NATIONALISTS I By Telegraph—Piess Association—Copyright.] HOBART, May 11. It now appears that the Nationalists have won four seats from Labour at the general elections, and the strength of the new parties in Parliament is expected to be: — Nationalist 19 Labour 10 Independent 1 The voting is on the preferential system, and the distribution of preferences cannot be undertaken for some days, but the figures appear to indicate that the Government has gained four seats. Voting was compulsory for the first time. The Premier (Mr McPhee) said that the vote showc 1 that the people appreciated the serious position in Australia, and the result of tho elections would help towards correcting the unstable conditions, and should help towards the restoration of confidence. The Leader of tho Opposition (Mr Ogilvie) said that the majority of the people had accepted the assurance of the Government that if it was returned the financial position would improve. The next six months would disillusion them, and they would regret their vote in the hard times ahead.