BRITISH ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1924, Page 2

BRITISH ELECTIONS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLX ASSOCIATION

FINAL SPEECHES. LONDON, October 20. The leaders of all tbe parties made their final speeders last night. 'J here is no new development except the "Daily Ilerald’s'' statement regarding the Zinovieif letter.

HKSCI.T UNCERTAIN. LONDON. October 20. Tlie “Daily Chronicle” says: •‘There never was an election in which there was less certainty on the eve of the poll regarding the prospects of the parties.” I.lovds election rates are unchanged.

NO Zf.NOVIKFF J.KTTKK. LONDON. October 20.

The “Daily Herald’’ announces that the Foreign Office never had either the original or the photograph of the Zinovielf letter, lint only a type-writ-ten copy, purporting to he a copy of the original letter.

A FINAL FI.OI KISH. LONDON. October 23. The eve of polling day was signalised by a final outburst of speeches the leaders indulging in frantic motor car rushes through the industrial

centres. Air Baldwin concluded his tour in Oldham. He said he was (onfident the Conservatives would do splendidly in Lancashire.

Tt is reported from a munl-cr of constituencies that the Liberal leaders are giving eleventh hour advice to vote Conservative where there is a straight fight against the Socialists. Mr MacDonald is suffering from his electioneering work, causing insomnia. He went to bed after a speech at Aheravon at noon, lie made a final speech this evening. Addressing three thousand at Aheravon this morning, the Prime Minister claimed that the Government had handled the so-called “red plot” in an efficient and business-like way. and it had nothing to be ashamed 01. He added : “The plot litis been thwarted.” The newspapers state the Foreign Office stall' are indignant at Air AlacDoiiald's blaming them.

The “Evening .Standard" says that the Foreign Ollire, contradicting Air AlacDonald, asserts that the Zinovielf letter reached London mi October 8. and was known to Air MacDonald on October 0. which was the day the dissolution was decided upon. It is inconceivable that Air MacDonald only received the letter on October 17>. |., Hi I {'uncon. at Derby said: “Air MacDonald’s action was of the shabbiest in trying to throw the blame on tile officials. It is a dirty trick to turn on bis own subordinates.”

Experts at the Party headquarters were busy to-day checking and revising their estimates of the results. It is admitted everywhere that to piophesy is more difficult than for mailt years past, largely owing to the fact that the effects of the Zinovielf letter cannot be estimated. Labourites insist that the lettoi s results will be negligible. Conservatives and Libera's assert that reports indicate the affair is <aisiug the loss ol votes to Labour in all parts of the country. Arrangements have been made throughout the couutiy to distribute tlm results ul the polling to-morrow night, and on Thursday morning, including wireless, broadcasting. lanterns and screens in the streets, and many buid speakers, which "ill be employed.

announcing THE RETURNS LONDON. October 29

Air Baldwin at Holton, defined th. issue as: “Whether the country uouh have a Covermuent pledged to S‘>: ial ism. or preferred to continue natera evo|o| ion of it- :,o i:il system.”

The '•.Morning lost” s.i.vs: “'fir eliniic resolves itsell into the I'lliol Jack or the lied Flag.'’

WHAT PARTIES ESTIMATE. LONDON. October ”0. The “Daily Express’’ gives the fol lowing estimates ol tile results to night by the various Party head quarters:

CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE Conservatives dll Labour 205 Liberals 03 Other Parlies 0 LABOUR ESTIAIATES.

Conservatives £0;) Labour 233 Liberals So Other Pai ties 5 I.UIEKAL ESTIMATE.-!. Conservatives dill Labour 10.1 Liberals 121 Other Parties 5

No estimate gives anv single party a clear working majority. The “Daily Express” states the Conservatives expe.-t a few gains in London, hut believe their greatest successes will occur in Lancashire, the Midlands and Home Counties. I.about is expecting live gains in .Scotland, ten gains in London. Among Alinisters. the likeliest casualties are expected to he Air Cl\ lies ami Aliss AL Boiidlield.

LONDON. October 28. The Priime Alinister. Mr Ramsay .MacDonald is indisposed. and has been unable to address a meeting at Derbv.

Rl. lion. J. 11. Thomas is predicting that Labour will return stronger than ever. He said the Labourites would not resign as the result of the election. They would face Parliament, and would present the King’s speech, wherein Labours polity would be set out. He added: '‘Those democrats—those progressive people—will he obliged to fate Parliament and go into tile lobby when not only will they he obliged to say they are turning us out. hut also Mho they are {luting in in our places. That will l»e a very interesting division.

FIRST RESULTS. (Received this day at J 1.25 a.in.) LONDON. Oi tuber 30. The present state of the parties, in eluding these returned unopposed, is: Conservatives 2~> Labour 11 Liberal C Alisrella neons 1