STILL IN THE AIR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1770, 7 June 1913, Page 5

STILL IN THE AIR.

AUSTRALIA'S ELECTION ISSUE.

MARGIN CLOSE,

THE REFERENDA SEE-SAW.

"NOES" NOW IN THE LEAD. By Telscranli—Prcos Association—CJoDrrizlit Sydney, Juno 6. Tho counting of absentee votes, so far as it has proceeded, leaves tho parties' position unaltered. It is estimated at— Liberals 38 Labour 35 Doubtful 2 Labour is leading by 143 at Illawarra and 71 at Ballarat. . PRIME MINISTER SILENT. PROBABLE MEETING OP CABINET. Sydney, Jnne 6. The Federal Prime Minister (Mr. Fisher), referring to the political position in the course of a speech on his arrival at the railway station, said:—"l shall at present remain silent. What may be the outcome I don't know." It is reported that Cabinet will meet and review the position early next week. THE YES-NO BULLETIN. "YES" YESTERDAY; "NO" TO-DAY. Tho referenda position has altered. The "Noes" have a majority in Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania, and also a majority for'the whole of the Commonwealth. THE LATEST NEWS. DOUBTFUL SEATS FAVOUR LABOUR. (Rec. June 1, 0.10 a.m.) Sydney, June 6. The only variations in the position of the elections aro that Labour has slightly increased its leads at Illawarra and Ballarat. Mr. J. H. Jl'Ooll, ono of tho threo Liberal candidates for the Victorian Senate, has crept to within striking dis-' tanco of Mr. A. N. M'Kissick, tho lowest Labour oandidato, and the "Noes" have strengthened their position in the Referenda.

It is pretty well accepted on both sides now that Labour will win Illawaira and Ballarat, giving tho Liberals a majority of one in the House, and that the Liberals will win at least six seats in the Senate. This will leavo Labour twelve seats in the Senate, added to which aro the 18 Labour Senators who did not vacato their seats, making the new Senate: Labour, 30; Liberal, 6. A disturbing factor, the uncounted absent votes, however, has to bo reckoned with. It will bo some days yet before these aro known. CABINET AND CAUCUS. (Eec. June 7, 0.10 a.m.) Sydney, June G. Mr. Fisher consulted some of his colleagues to-day, but pending tho receipt of the final .returns. nothing will bo decided. Cabinet moets on Thursday, and the .caucus on Friday next.