STILL IN DOUBT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1765, 2 June 1913, Page 5

STILL IN DOUBT.

FEDERAL ELECTIONS. I PARTY OUTLOOK UNCERTAIN. LIBERAL GAINS & LOSSES. By Teleeraph—Press Association— Copyright (Roc. June 1, 5,5 p.m.) Sydney, June 1. Though the weather was generally fine for the Federal elections yesterday in New South Wales, the bitter cold militated somewhat against tho polling in Victoria, and in Tasmania rain and wintry conditions were unfavourable, though, on tho whole, the voting was heavy. Up to midnight, when the counting stopped, not a single electorate had been completed, and the returns from many, especially from other States, were too meagre to epeculato upon. It will be days before all are oomplete. As for the Senato and referenda, the returns are too small to tell.any tale at all. On present appearances, the Liberals appear likely to gain two, if not four, seats in New South Wales, while the Labour party looks as if it will take the Illaw.irra scat from the Liberals as a set-off.

In Victoria tho latest figures indicato that Labour will probably win the Fawkner and Bendigo seats from the Liberals, with also a possibility of gaining Ballarat. Should Bendigo go to Labour, Sir John Quick, a notable old political campaigner, will disappear from the arena. Most of the Ministers and Mr. Cook, Leader of the Opposition, appear to be safe, though the Prime Minister, Mr. Fisher, and Mr. O'Malley (Home Affairs) are fighting strong opponents. Great, enthusiastic crowds held their position in the streets in the vicinity of the newspaper offices, watching the posting of the returns till an early hour in tho morning, in spite of the bitter cold. THE LATEST RETURNS. (Rec. June 2, '0.30 a.ra.) Sydney, May 31. . On the present figures, five Labour scats in Now South Wales are threatened— Ncpean, Calare, New England, Robertson, Werriwa, and Fairlcy. It is certain that tho Liberals will suffer a reverse for Illnwarra, but oven some of theso positions are yet capablc of much alteration. In Victoria, two, if not three, Labour gains are pretty well assured, while also West Australia promises one. Tho returns from the other States are not complete enough to forecast upon. As far as the Senato figures have gone, thoy show that the Labour party is holding its own. THE LIBERALS' POSITION.. Sydney, May 31. The hotels will be closed during polling hours—B a.m. to 8 p.m. The swollen rivers will probably delay tho voting in the northern districts. The last House of Parliament was composed as follows:— Labour > 41 Independent-Labour 2 Liberals 32 75 In the Senato there were twenty-two Labour members and fourteen Liberals. In order to rob tho Government of its majority in tho Ilouse, the Liberals will require to win six 6eats.