SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1924, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS.

defeat OF GENERAL SMUTS. state of parties. AUSTUAMAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION CAPETOWN, June 17. General Smuts has hcen defeated in Pretoria West where Air llav (Labour) polled 1107 to the Premier’s 1022. Another notable defeat is of Sir Abe Bailey, in Krugersdorp. CAPETOWN, June 17. Intense interest is being shown in the elections to-day. Early returns show that seven South African Party, three Labour, and four Nationalists have been elected. The Nationalists gained Pretoria central seat where Air Booth. Chairman of Committees, was defeated. Labour gained the Oenniston seat by a narrow majority. GOVERNMENT f OSSKS. CAPETOWN. June 17. Intenso interest is being shown in the Cnion elections to-day. The early returns showed that seven of the South African Party, three I.simulates and four Nationalists were elected. Later returns showed twelve South African candidates elected, six Labour and six Nationalists. The National I’artv has gained the Pretoria Central seat, where Ale Booth Chairman of Committees) was defeated. Lnl>oiir has gained the Cermiston seat by a narrow majority, as well as Pretoria West. OPPOSITION IN .MAJORITY. CAPETOWN. June 17. Air Hulling showed an increase on that ‘of last election. The Nationalist Pretorians defeated Sir Harry (Iranman. The Labourite, Mr Crosswell, was elected. Labour has gained the Tiirlfontoin. Umbillo, North Eas’L Band, Springs and Roksburg seats, making their total gains so far eight. The South African Party has gained three and the Nntionaiiststs three and there is one independent. Tho latest returns are: South African Party ... -■> Labour Party IS Nationalist Party . 12 Independent ... 1 LATEST RETURNS. (Received this dav at 12.30 p.m.) CAPETOWN. June 18. Severe storms have interrupted the telegraph wires delaying the election results. The latest returns show. South African Party 20 Laltour 18 Nationalist LA Independent I GENERAL SMUTS’ DEFEAT (Received this day at 11.23 a.m.) CAPETOWN. June 18. General Smuts' defeat calm- as a great surprise. It is undoubtedly a severe blow to the party. General regret is expressed that a statesman of his standing should have been rejected by his own constituency. It is unknown at present whether he will seek another seat. Decision on this point will probably depend on the final issue of the elections. The landslide to Labour on the Rand is greater than expected and has prejudiced the Goevnimciit’s chances nl securing a majority. On the oth.i hand in the urban constituencies of Cape* and Natal, the South African party more than liefd their own. gaining two seats lrom Labour in the Cape. The Labour Party now stands at eighto«»n. nn im rotisp of live oompnreil with tlie last Parliament. Imt they cannot gain any more seats. Tho issue hangs on the country returns from Trnn.saviil mid Cape where the Government has a good hope of gaining some seats, but as the pact is now leading there seems to he small hone of a Government majority. At the sanie time, it is unlikely that the pact will obtain a workable'majority. Two .Ministers Have been returned. Mr Duncan (Interior) and Air Reitz (Lands). [The London “Daily Mail” Johannesburg correspondent on April b( tillast wrote:—The strong appeal which the British Empire Exhibition made to the Union of South Africa is revealed bv the fear of the South African I arty (led bv General Smuts, the I remiei) that it will sillier at the polls bv reason of the rush to Wembley. It is estimated that hv polling day. which ad he about the middle ol dune. *J>.<• -> South Africans will have left lor London. the vast majority being supporters of General Smuts.]