FEDERAL ELECTION

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 October 1946, Page 5

FEDERAL ELECTION

THE COUNTRY VOTE LOSSES TO LABOUR’ LIKELY

Sydney, Oct. 1.

With the count in the Federal election still far from complete, the latest figures are showing a definite swing against Labour in several doubtful seats. This is mainly due to the fact that the counting in the metropolitan and industrial areas is largely finished, and that country districts known in many cases to be anti-Labour are now adding their weight to the poll. Though assured of an adequate majority in the House of Representatives, Labour seems likely to lose several seats which on Sunday's figures appeared certain to be held for Labour-

Mr. Forde, Minister for the Army, and Mr. Frost, Minister of Repatriation, both appear to be putting up a losing battle. In Capricornia (Queensland), which seat Mr. Forde has held since 1922, his majority has been narrowing as counting proceeds. Last night the Opposition candidate, Mr. Davidson, passed him to lead by 70 votes with 20,000 still to be counted. If, as expected, preferences of the Service Party candidate go to Mr. Davidson, Mr. Forde is 1500 behind. In Franklin (Tasmania) Mr. Falkinder. Liberal, leads Mr. Frost by 387 with 7000 votes to come. In Parkes (New South Wales) the majority of Mr. L. Haylen, Labour, over his Liberal opponent, Mr- A. Richardson, has been reduced to 499, with 9000 votes to come. Last night five out of every six votes were for Mr. Richardson. In Riverina and Calare the Labour candidates, Messrs. Langtry and Breen, are beginning to admit the hopelessness of their positions. They both lead on figures, but among other candidates are Liberal and Country Party men whose total votes under the preference system should give Calare to Mr. Howse, Liberal, and Riverina to Mr. Roberton, Country Party.

In Reid, the Labour member seems certain to lose his seat to Mr. J. T. Lang on preferences.

MR. SCULLY’S POSITION

Labour's hitherto impregnable position in two other’ cases, where the Minister ot Commerce, Mr. .Scully and Mr. A- Fraser appeared safe, has been rendered vulnerable by the latest counts, but neither yet appears to be in danger. In Bourke (Victoria) the retiring Labour member seems likely to oe defeated by thet Independent Labour candidate, Mrs. Blackburn, who, however, has announced that she has not ideological differences with official Labour and will vote with the Government if elected. Labour’s hold on Wannon is also threatened by the allocation of second preferences between the Liberal and Country Parties. In Lilley (Queensland), the Labour lead is being reduced, and the Liberal candidate, Mr. Wilson, is being favoured as a recipient of most of the 7000 preferences to be distributed by the Service Party candidate.

In South Australia, Wakefield is now regarded as a certain Liberal gain as Mr. Mcßride has a lead of more than 2000 over the sitting Labour member, Mr. Smith. Wheat-farmers and wool-growers In the Swan and Forrest electorates of West Australia have offered a threat to the Labour men, Messrs Mounljoy and Lemmon, by voting solidly against Labour. Both seats are now doubtful. In the Tasmanian seats of Darwin and Wilmot, Dame Lyons appears certain, but Mr. Duthle, Labour, appears to have beaten Mr. Guy, Liberal. Latest figures show that the position is increasingly favourable to the carrying of the referendum questions.