GOVERNMENT LIKELY TO RETAIN OFFICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 226, 23 September 1940, Page 8

GOVERNMENT LIKELY TO RETAIN OFFICE.

FEDERAL ELECTIONS. Majority May Be Reduced From Ten To Eight. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Reed. 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. On the latest returns of the voting in the Commonwealth election, held on Saturday, the "Sydney Morning Herald" expects the United AustraliaCountry party coalition Government, led by Mr. R. G. Menzies, to be returned with its majority reduced from ten to eight. The Sydney "Daily Telegraph" says the latest count indicates the Government is likely to retain office with a majority of at least three seats. The "Herald" gives the state of parties as under:— United Australia party ... 23 Country party 14 Labour 30 Doubtful 7

The latest count increases the probability of the defeat of the leader of the official Labour party, Mr. J. Curtin, in Fremantle. Mr. F. R. Lee is now only 34 votes behind him. The blame for this reversal is attributed partly to the over-confidence of Mr. Curtin's immediate supporters and partly to Labour's refusal to join the War Cabinet. Mr. Menzies said the election must be regarded as a clear mandate to prosecute the war with the utmost vigour. Mr. Curtin said the results suggested that the Government had not had the conclusive testimony of public opinion. In view of his likely defeat, he ha* deputed Mr. F. M. Forde, deputy-leader, to speak on behalf of the Labour party. The "Daily Telegraph" Melbourne correspondent says that fresh overtures to the Labour party to form a national Government will be made by Mr. Menzies as the result of the elections.

SENATE SEATS. Government May Have Narrow Majority. PROSPECT STILL IN DOUBT. (Reed. 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. Although the count of votee cast in the election for the Senate is still too limited to make any accurate forecast possible, the Government may return its Senate candidates in every State but New South Wales. New South Wales is the only State in which Labour has a lead in the votes so far counted, and it appears likely that three Labour Senators will be returned.

Government candidates are well ahead in all other States, and it is likely that they will all be returned. This would result in the return of 16 Senators supporting the Government and three supporting Labour. Of the Senators who did not retire 14 support Labour and three the Government. The new Senate, therefore, may consist of:—■ Government 19 Labour 17 If, however, the Government loses its majority in the Senate the possibility of a double dissolution later arises. This problem will not have to be faced immediately because the retiring Senators will not complete their term until June 30 next.