TO CARRY ON

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 213, 17 September 1934, Page 3

TO CARRY ON

United Australia Party CONFIDENCE REAFFIRMED AT THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS By Telegraph—Copyright—Press As. SYDNEY, Last Night. With its former large majority negligibly reduced, the Lyons Government yesterday received an unequivocal mandate to carry on. At most, it may lose four seats, and tho Country'Party also four, which will be due entirely to the fact that these seats, which are Labour strongholds, were won during the 1931 landslide and are now reverting to Labour, as the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J. A. Lyons) anticipated. When counting ceased to-night the position appeared as follows:— United Australia Party 36 United Country Party 12 Federal Labour 15 State Labour 8 Doubtful Nil Other Parties Nil The former House of Representatives comprised:— United Australia Party 38 United Country 16 Federal Labour 14 State Labour 5 Independents 2 The Government hitherto has had an absolute majority over all other parties, with the result that it was unnecessary officially to coalesce with the Country Party. Now, however, the latter party holds the balance of power and interesting political developments are regarded as inevitable. It was unofficially stated last night that the Government could count on the support of the Counrty Party which, ipeculiarly. is likely to lose a couple of its seats at the expense of the rival United Australia Party. A feature of the polling in New South Wales, where most of the changes are occurring, is that State Labour, led by Mr Beasley, very nearly ousted tho Federal Labour candidates, but the Lang-Beasley influence was not noticeable in any other States. The wTiole of the Ministers, with the possible exception of Mr .1. A. Guv, assistant Minister of Customs, will bo returned. Mr Guy’s position is usuallv in doubt until the last minute owing to the fact that preferences invariably have to decide the issue. Premier’s Birthday So far primary votes alone have been counted in the various States and the position of doubtful seats will not be I known in some instances until the end

of next week. The Prime Minister is having an easy victory in Wilmot, Tasmania., It was his fifty-fifth birthday yesterday. He said: "I am certainly experiencing many happy returns. My party is still overwhelmingly the largest in the House of 'Representatives. The Government has received a magnificent expression of confidence. We shall go forward with our task of placing Australia completely on her feet. "It is quite apparent,” Mr Lyons added, "that the people are not prepared to trust themselves to adventures in fhe uncharted and tempestuous seas of financial experiments.” Campaign directors of the United Australia Party go the length of predicting that the Prime Minister will probably have a personal following of 37, losing only one seat when the final returns are to hand. Their analysis is as follows:—

The United Australia Party has already definitely lost the Lang seat in New South Wales. Marybyrnong, and the Batman seats in Victoria, but will gain Corangamite, Victoria and Werriwa. New South Wales, from the Country Party. Thus it will have 37, or half the total membership of the new House.

Although in no instance did Douglas Credit candidates come within striking distance of success •.hey polled surprisingly well jn some electorates and their leaders are much encouraged and declare that it will stimulate them to greater action. The distribution of their candidates’ preferences ■will have an impor ant bearing in doubtful contests.