THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 262, 9 November 1906, Page 5

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

A FORECAST. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. Discussing the subject of the Federal elections which take place next month, the Hon. Jacob Garrard, who up to his retirement some five years ago had been in the Isew South Wales Parliament for twenty years, and had on two occasions held office in the Robinson and Reid Ministries respectively, expressed the opinion to a '"Post" reporter that, so far as New South Wales was concerned, Mr. Reid would gain seats, and he might also gain some in Victoria. Looking at the position all round, and knowing every State, Mr. Garrard was inclined to think that Mr. Reid would have a majority. Victoria was protectionist, but a large number of the electors there would go against the Labour party, in other words, would enrol themselves under Mr. Reid's anti-Socialist standard. The Labour party itself would, he thought, lose seats; it would not get any of its men in New South Wales ior the Senate, and would probably lose two or three, perhaps four, seats in the House of Representatives. It was likely there would be a very close fight between >-,-r J. Graham, a follower of Mr. Reid, and Mr. Watson, leader of the Labour party. Mr. Deakin's party, if returned, would have to do the will of the Labour party— "swallow themselves," in fact.