FEATURES OF THE CONTEST.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14843, 8 December 1913, Page 7

FEATURES OF THE CONTEST.

SIR W. McMLLLAN, MESSRS BEEBY AND WILLIS DEFEATED. MANY SECOND BALLOTS REQUIRED. (Received December 7th, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 7. The woather was fine throughout the State, and the voting heavy. The city and suburban returns are practically complete, but the country returns are still largely in arrear. The features of the contests, so far as they have been decided, are that Labour has not only held its own, but has captured at least two seats, the large number of second balloto apparently required, and the rout of Mr Beoby's new National ' Progressive Party. Reckoning on completed counts and approximately safe seats, the latest returns show tho state of parties to be:— LABOUR 38 LIBERAL ... 34 INDEPENDENT ... 2 Labour wins Annandale, 'whore Mr Griffith (Minister of Labour) displaces Mr Brauntell, an old Liberal member, and Granville, where Mr Nobbs (a very old Liberal identity) loses what has always been considered a safe seat. Parramatta, another Liberal seat, is still in jeopardy. All Ministers are safe. Mr Holmain holds a secure lead, and Mr McGowen romped in by a big majority, as also did Mr Wade, Leader of the Opposition.

Mr Beeby, Leader of the Progressive Barty, got a bad fall at Wavorley, and Sir William McMillan, who ran as an Independent against the selected Liberal candidate at Willoughby, was badly defeated.

The new Parliament will miss the picturesque figure of Mr Henry Willis, ex-Speaker of the House, who holds a hopeless-position in the contest for Upper Hunter. .

The Labour machine got a - knock at Botany, where Mr Page, the sitting Lar hour member, -who failed to secure the caucus nomination, ran away from Mr Johnstone, the selected candidate.

Labour is threatened with the loss of two eeate, namely, Gwydir and Murrumbidgee.