THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 364, 15 April 1910, Page 5

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

LABOUR IS GLAD. INCOMPLETE RETURNS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. v . Sydney, April 14. Very few returns, even of the metropolitan area, are yet completed, though there is not a great aeav of excitement, the keenest interest is shown in the result. Cheering crowds' blocked the streets in the vicinity of all the newspaper offices where the returns were posted, waiting till an early hour tnis morning. East Sydney has 'been captured by a Labour candidate, who beat the Liberal candidate by over 3000 votes. It looks as if Lang, another city division, has also gone to the Labor candidate, who is leading by 27, with a few Small returns to come.

In South Sydney, Riley (Labor) polled 12,099 against Eden George's 4400. At West Sydney Wm. rnglies, who took a prominent part in the late strike, gees back with nearly 8000 to the good. North Sydney remained true to the Government, the Liberal having a handsome majority, as also did the Partes and Wentworth divisions, where Bruce Smith and H. Kelly have long leads. In the Dalley division Howe (Labor) defeated Wilkes (Liberal) by over 3000. Newcastle sent Watkins, 'the old Labor member, back with a three to one majority. In the Cook division of Sydney, Catts (Labor) holds his place with a two to one majority.

Labor polled very strong on the Barrier, Josiah Thomas securing over 6000 supporters and the Liberal candidate under 1000.

The old Labor members, Spence for Darling, Brown for Calare, Webster for Gwvdir, Charlton for Hunter, Carr for Macquame, Foster for Ne\v England, Chanter for Riverina, and Hall for Werriwa hold safe positions', and it looks as if the Labor candidate will also capture Robertson, where he is leading by over a thousand. The Liberals have every prospect of being returned for Illawarra, Nepean and Cowper. The returns for the other States are all very incomplete. In Victoria the enly complete ones are Melbourne Ports, where Matthews, the old Labor member, secured a thumping majority, a>nd Bourke, where Austey (Labor) easily knocked out Hume Cook, the old Liberal member.

In ten of twenty other s'eats Labor i.3 leading, the Liberals in s'even, aTld Independents in three. The latest figures give Mr. Deakin a lead of 507 and Quick 544. Maugher's seat is threatened, but Wm. Knox is safe. For the five Tasmanian seats Labor £as apparently a safe lead for three, the Liberals' for one, and the other is doubtful.

Of Westralia's five seats it looks like three going to Labor and two to the Liberals.

For Queensland's nine seats Labor is leading for six and- the Liberate for three. Groom, Minister for External Affairs, is safe for Darling Downs, and Foxton for Brisbane. Fisher now lias over 000 votes to the good.

South Australia has-seven members. G'iynn, Attorney-General, was returned unopposed, Labour is ahead for four seats, and the Liberals for two. TWO PEOPLE DROP DEAD. Sydney, April 13. Two sensational deaths occurred in connection with the elections. A woman named Rootes dropped dead at Thornleigh while on the way to record her vote, and a polling clerk na«tied Reeves dropped dead in the Ballarat booth. "BRILLIANT LABOR VICTORY." REFERENDUM VOTE SLOW. Sydney, April M.

The Senate figures are in a very backward, state, and are not likely to bo completed for some days, but in all t'he States excepting Victoria, where two Labor candidates and one Liberal hold the most prominent places*', the labor benches have a lead. The referendum vote .is still further behind. Small returns to hand give the "Noes" a majority on both issues.

The Herald heads its election report: "Labour Party's Success," "Gains in All States," "A Working Majority in Roth Hous'es." The Telegraph announces a brilliant victory for Labor. The Herald largely attributes Labor's victory to its splendid organisation. It went into the fight with everything ready to the last gaiter button. The Labor voter took up his share of the burden with an easy confidence which is half-way to victory. As much could not 'be said for the Liberal Party, though its organisation was carried Much further than in any previous campaign. The polling shows t-liat Liberals in numerous instances slept upon their

guns. The Telegraph says:—"Whatever the final result, Labor is certain to substantially improve its position, while there is' a fair possibility of its scoring an absolute majority in both Houses. If we are to have a Labor Ministry it is better we should have a strong one.' Labor is jubilant at the results. Sir John Forrest is well ahead of the Labor candidate in. the Swan electorate. In Victoria the Liberals 1 whose seats are in danger include Chronch, Carty, Salmo)i(l. Brown, Robert and Harper. In South Australia Glynn, Poynton and Archibald were returned unopposed'. Labor is leading for two other scats.

The Liberal candidate for Lang has gone one hundred ahead, but there are a few returns still to come. Received Apr 14. 2.10 p.m. Sydney, April 14. In Victoria Labor captured the Batman seat from the Liberals. The toss of the Corangamite seat is also practieallv certain. Tudor a gain. Wynne and Fairbairn (Liberals) have been re-elected. THE NEPEAN SEAT. Received April 14, 2.55 p.m. Sydney, Thursday. . Labor forged ahead in the Nepean bye-election owing to Flemins resigning to contest a Federal seat. The election resulted in the return of Ash ford, the Labor candidate, by a good majority. FUSION'S FATE. Received April 14. 11.5 p.m. Melbourne, April 14. The Melbourne Age savs that the striking feature of the contest is the fate which has overtaken fusion. In all probability it lias received its deathblow. Just as it was the most demoralis'n" plot ever hatched against the

[ rights and liberties' of the people, so have the people risen up and punished it and its authors. STATE OF PARTIES. LABOR 45 SEATS. LIBERAL 30 SEATS. Received April 15, 1.10 sun. Sydney, April 14. The state of parties shows that the Liberals have won thirty seats |and Labor forty-five. There may be some change when the final returns come in, improving the Liberal position. Labor is leading for the Senate in all the States. At Brisbane Colonel Foxton, honorary Minister, was defeated by Finlayson,