EARLY VOTERS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18218, 31 October 1924, Page 9

EARLY VOTERS.

MAN IN HIS PYJAMAS. MANY ELECTION BRAWLS. 'SEVTEP.'S TELE-.RAMS." (Received October 30th. 9 P-™.'> LONDON. October '29. Polling began in many constituencies at an unusually early hour, the returning officers having used their discretion and fixed polling from seven o'clock in the morning to nine o'clock at mght. instead of the normal eight to eight. Reports from iho London divisions showed that the morning wiling was unusually heavy, particularly aiming women. The weather was rather mild, but overcast, and a few slight, showers wero falling. Outside somo Tendon polling; centres there were large queues awaiting the opening at seven " elock hko first-night queues at the theatre. In Brixton, a populous district, it was reported that 60 per cent, ol last year's poll was already registetcd at noon. Mr Homes, a member of the County Council, arriving m pyjamas and an overcoat at 6.45 a.m.. maintained a long reputation for being the hr.st voter in East. Fulham. Another early morning voter was a man agod SO. who tottered with the help of a stick. A man sentenced to a month's imprisonment in Dudley was permitted to poll before going to gaol, being taken to the polling booth in the custody of a constable. The Casualty Department ol' the West London Hospital, and the Hammersmith Department were busy as a result of election fights. Patients poured in all afternoon, suffering from black eyes, broken noses and arms, and sprained wrists. Some of the cases were women, hut nono was serious. PUBLISHING RESULTS. MANY INTERESTS COMPETING. (AOSTBAUAN AND N.Z. CABLE A3SOCIATIOM.) (Received October 30th, 7.30 p.m.)

LONDON*, October 29. Crowds, despite tho bad weather, thronged the West End. Last year, a sudden fog obscured the illuminated results. This year, crowds everywhere watched under dripping umbrellas, and thousands stood patiently for hours in Trafalgar square, Piccadilly Circus, Jjeicester square, the Strand, Oxford street and other centres. Hawkers paraded carnival wares, but there was little demand, tho crowds mostly preferring to patronise vendors of hot chestnuts.

Never before were such elaborate arrangements mad© for the announcement of the results. Newspapers, hotels, and great stores and shops were all competing with costly electric scrolls, gigantic lantern screens, and supermegaphones in every available open space.

Similar enterprise was shown in the Provinces, and the varying fortunes of prominent men were watched with extreme interest.

PRESS OPINIONS.

THE EARLY RESULTS.

REJOICINGS AND REGRETS

(Received October 30th, 9.20 p.m.)

LONDON, October 30,

Loudon results arrived late, nearly at midnight. Conservative anticipations of gains in Hackney were realised. The "Morning Post," writing editorially when only a few results were available, save: -'These show that electors who trembled for the safety of the country and the Empire may breathe freer. The danger has been averted." The ''Daily Herald," in an early edition, features the hugo slump in the Liberal vote, Labour fighting hard against the pact. The "Herald" says: "There is every indication of a Conservative victory at the polls, partly at the expense of Labour, but mainly' at the expense of the Liberal Party, which has suffered a crushing defeat. Mosi, of the Labour losses are due to the operation of the Liberal-Conservative pact in constituencies where Labour last year won by minority .votes in three-cornered fights." The "Herald" regrets the loss of Mr Ben Tillett (Salford North) and Mr Ben Turner (Batley and Morley), and observes that Manchester Liberalism is totally eclipsed.

The "Daily Express" says editorially: "The Labourites will face the new House cf Commons as a bankrupt Administration."

MR MACDONALD AND THE WAR

(ATTSTBALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON, October 29,

Lord Derby, speaking at Southport, said it seemed to bo the fashion to forget Mr Bamsay Mae-Donald's wartime attitude. Lord Derby recalled that, he himself was personally responsible for a great part in the recruiting. He would never forget or forgive Mr MacDonald.

Patriotic Liberals, declared Lord Derby, were justified in voting Conservative against Labour.