LABOUR'S DEBACLE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 57, 29 October 1931, Page 3

LABOUR'S DEBACLE

ADMIRAL' S VICTORY The first returns available at 9.45 gave the immediate suggestion of a landslide and huge inereases in Conservative majorities at Hornsey and Cheltenham, notably the former where their gain was 15,654. Close on the heels of this came the smashing Labour reversals at North and West Salford, Ben Tillett biting the dust at the former to the tune of 11,880 compared to his majority of 3726 in 1929. Hornsey and Cheltenham were regained by the Conservatives in straight-out fights, both with enormously inereased majorities. Hastings provided a significant example of the surprising accession to Conservative strength, Lord Percy gaining 6700 votes, the National Liberal losing 4400 and the Labourite 1600. Exeter afforded the first test of National Labour against offieial Labour, the former prevailing to the extent of 613- through offieial Labour dropping 1403 votes. Admiral Campbell, the Nationalist defeated Mr. Arthur Henderson (the Leader of the Socialist Party and Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Labour Cabinet) by 9000 votes. A Labour majority of 9338 at Barnsley melted in the face of the National Liberal attaek, a notable Government victory being secured. Mr. Ben Tillett's significant defeat was followed by that of the veteran Sir James Sexton, for St. Helens, where a majority of 8105 was wiped out for a Conservative win by 2430. Sir James Sexton was one of the most respeeted trade unionists., The results indicated that the Liberals were voting solidly with the straight fight of Conservative against Labour. As an instanee, Stoke-Ewing-ton may be cited, where in 1929 the Conservative vote was 9030, the. Lib- ! eral 7958, making 16,988. To-day the Conservative's vote was 16,035, as against Labour's 5837. . Inereased Conservative Majorities The seeond National Liberal gain was at Dewsbury, formerly a threeeornered, but now a straightout fight, where Labour was in a minority of 8362. The New Party has hitherto figured in only on contest, Ashton-under-Lyne, where its candidate was at the bottom of the poll, with only 424 votes.