FEDERAL ELECTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23690, 25 September 1940, Page 10

FEDERAL ELECTIONS

LATEST ANALYSIS OF RETURNS FOURTEEN SEATS STILL IN DOUBT Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, September 24. The main interest in the election for the House of Representatives now centres in 14 seats, in which the distribution of preferences and absentee votes may alter the existing position. Seven arc in New South Wales, two in Victoria, three in Queensland, and one each in Western Australia and Tasmania. To-day’s checking of primary votes indicates that the Government parties can be sure of 32 scats and the Labour parties of 27. The decision in a few of the 14 doubtful seats is unlikely to be known for some clays, probably weeks. It is anticipated that the majority of the postal and absentee votes will favour Government candidates, as in former years, but the calculations can be completely upset by the preferences of Independent candidates, which may favour either party. Keen interest will bo focused in Mr Curtin’s seat in Western Australia, where he is making little headway against what seem unbeatable odds. The latest development is the offer of Mr R. James (Labour), who represents the Hunter constituency, near Newcastle, to resign in favour of Mr Curtin in the event of the latter being defeated. There is no confirmation of the report that Mr Green wull resign the Kalgoorlie seat in favour of Mr Curtin. SINGAPORE BASE SERVICING OF AMERICAN CRUISER WASHINGTON, September 23. Mr Cordell Hull said ho had no confirmation officially that the United States cruiser Augusta might go to Singapore for overhaul, saying that, if the report were true, it was a common custom and courtesy among nations to permit a vessel to enter the nearest dry dock if repairs were urgently required. Other, quarters, however, suggested dry docking the Augusta at Singapore might have tremendous repercussions, since it would be the first official use of Singapore for servicing an American vessel. ' AIR RAID VICTIMS RELIEF FUND MOUNTING LONDON, September 24. (Received September 25, at 8 a.m.) Another £75,000 has been received at Mansion House for the Lord Mayor’s London air raid distress fund, which is now approaching £600,000. Among the gifts are one of £19,801 from the Mayor of Durban, South Africa, £3OO from J. David Sasson and Co., Bombay, and £I,OOO from Lord Rothschild. MURRAY RIVER SETTLERS' GIFT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 24, (Received September 25, at 11.55 a.m.) Australian dried fruit producers, consisting mainly of small orchard holders on soldier settlements on the Murray River, established after the last war, have given £2,400 to the Lord Mayor of London’s fund for the relief of air victims. FOOD FOR BRITAIN SUPPLIES FROM ARGENTINE BUENOS AIRES, September 24. (Received September 25, at 8 a.m.) It is believed that the Argentine has replied favourably to the British proposal that Argentine should grant Britain a 500,000,000-peso credit for food supplies.