FEDERAL ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1931, Page 5

FEDERAL ELECTIONS

CONTESTS YET TO BE DECIDED. [■ (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, December 23. The counting of the postal votes was continued to day, out there was no change in the state of the Parties 1-3-9 corded. It is unofficially learned that Mr Frank Anstey has retained the w Bourke seats by a slight majority for the Federal Labour Party. Colonel Cameron, of the United Australia Party, however, improved his chances in Brisbane, and reduced tne [ s lead of Mr Lawson, the Federal labour candidate, from 644 to 198. Colonel Cameron may yet win. On the present indications the Lang Labour Party will win five seats, all in New South Wales, -though Alderman Jock Garden may yet be defeated in' . the Cook electorate. s , The preferences in the doubtrul ■ t seats will not be allocated until next week. At present the new Parliament looks like being composed as follows: Government—United Australia Party 39, United Country Party 16, Independents 2; total 57. Opposition—Federal Labour Party 13, Lang Labour Party 0; total 18. The Senate counting is proceeding slowly. N.S.W. SENATE BYE-ELECTION. 1 SYDNEY, December 23, i ' Mr P. F, Mooney, who was nomin--1 ated by Mr Lang, was to-day elected a New South Wales Senator by both ■} Houses of Parliament by 04 votes to 85.' Hon. Mr Coates, who is the Leader of.the supporters of the Federal Labour Pftry’s Policy in the Legislative Council,’ 1 nominated by Mi’ Albert Gardiner as Senator, who was the only other candidate. Mr Mooney, whose , term expires in .June next, has been elected to take the place of ex-Senat-or Duncan, who 'i’feigned from the Senate in order to ,; contest the Warringahv seat in the House of Repfl e--sentatives at the Federal elections. Strong exception was taken by Hon. Mr Coates to the introduction of the open ballot for this election, but the vote went ! against him. ( "N.S.W 7~ASSEMBL Y. . AIR LANG ACCUSED OF LYING. 'SYDNEY, December 23. There was a' sensation in the New South Wales Assembly this- afternoon when the Deputy-Leader of the Counv try Party,. Mr Bruxner, stated that he had evidence that the Meat Board had agreed to lease the Homebush. Abattoirs, near Sydney, to a private com- ; pany. He said that he had a copy of a letter written by Mr W. Gordor, . the Chairman of Directors of the AusK tralian Graziers’ Meat Company, v " claiming' that an* agreement for 21'; years’ lease had been obtained. Mr Lang denied having any know* K ledge of any lean®, ■4 ‘‘Liar!” exclaimed Mr Bruxner, as he left the Chamber. ’ -