FEDERAL ELECTION BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3073, 8 May 1917, Page 5

FEDERAL ELECTION BATTLE

NATIONALIST FIGHT FOR THE ! SENATE EBB AND FLOW IN QUEENSLAND PRESENT STATE OF PARTIES / By Tcleeranh-Prcss Association-Conyrighl Sydney, May 7. . The latest returns place the Political Labour League candidates for tho Sen-, ate ahead in Queensland. Mr. W. Webster is now leading by a fair margin for the 'Gwydir seat, but Mr. P. G. Glynn, Minister for Homo Affairs,'is having a hard fight at Anga's (South Australia). He is over 500 behind his opponent (Mr. S. W. O'Flaherty). Mr. A. Griffith, ex-State Minister (N.S.W.), failed in his attempt'to win tho Newcastle seat for the 'Nationalists. Mr. W. G. Spenco, ex-Postmaster-Gencral, appeared to have lost the Darling seat to the P.L.L. Mr. King O'Malley and Mr. Mahonf two Federal ex-Ministers, will probably be beaten by tho Nationalist's.

LATEST QUEENSLAND RETURNS. (Rec. May 7, 10.10 p.m.) Sydney, May 7. .The latest Queensland returns place the Ministerial Senate trio ahead. The whole of the eighteen Nationalist Senate 'candidates are now leading. PRESS COMMENT ON THE ELECTION The "Sydney Morning Herald" makes the position for the House of Representatives on the present figures: Nationalists 44 ' Political Labour League 2± Doubtful ' ' The morning papers claim that the whqle vote is a great Nationalists victory. The "Herald" says that the election shows conclusively that the people have fully made up their minds on four material points:—Firstly, to see the war through to the bitter end; secondly, refusal to be bluffed over the conscription issue; thirdly, objection to caucus rule; fourthly, antipathy to the imported doctrines of the I."V> .W.

The State of parties in the Federal House when Mr. Hughes formed the National Government, after his departure from the Caucus, was as follows :— Liberal-Ministerialists 34 Labour-Ministerialists 14 Caucus Labour. 26 Independent .1 LOCAL OPTION POLLJN QUEENSLAND Brisbane, May 7. So far,- out of fifty-six local option areas, only two have voted in favour of reduction. NEW SOUTH WAI¥~UPPER HOUSE NEW LEGISLATORS. (Rec. May. 7, 8.30 p.m.) Sydney, May 7. The new Legislative Councillors included Mr. H. Y. Braddon (ex-presi-dent of the Chamber of Commerce),' Mr Hugh D. M'lntosh, Mr. J. Ryan (president of the Australasian Provincial Press Association), Mr. T. Waddoll (ex-State Premier), Mr. W. Brooks (of' William Brooks and Company), and a number, of other leading commercial and professional men.