A CLOSE FIGHT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1767, 4 June 1913, Page 7

A CLOSE FIGHT.

FEDERAL ELECTION CONTEST,

LATEST RETURNS.

RESULT,'STILL IN THE AIR,

11l TelecxßDh—Preou Astoclarlon—CoDrrlclit '(liec. Juno 3, 10.2") p.m. ) Sydney, .Tune 3. '10-dny's progressive returns affected the position of the parties, though the absentee votes, which have yet to bo counted in almost every electorate, aro regarded as unlikely to do more than vary to a more or less considerable extent the individual majorities already established. The Senate figures also tend to emphasise tlio position already notified. Tho Referenda return, though meagre, show a slight affirmative majority, but tho returns aro too unrepresentative as yet to allow of any deductions being made. THE CRUCIAL CONTESTS. ILLAWARRA AND BALLARAT. (R-ec. June 4, 1 a.m.) Sydnoy, June 3. The election fight at lllawarra, where tho latest figures give Labour <i lead of 140, and at Ballarat, where tlio Liberals are leading l>y M, is still strong. A largo absent vote, still to bo counted, is expected to favour Labour at Ballarat, and tho Liberals at lllawarra. It is anticipated tliat a recount will be asked for in each case. In tho event of Labour winning both seats, tho result will grto tho Government a, majority of one. Sir William Lyno (Hume) and Sir John Quick (Bcndigo) are definitely defeated. "NOES" LEAD IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, Juno 3. The only alteration in tho Referenda figures is that the "Noes'" are leading in New South Wales. In the Wakefield electorate, South Australia, which was previously classed as a Labour gain, the Liberals are now leading by a majority cf over fifteen hundred.