The Federal Elections.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 131, 2 April 1901, Page 3

The Federal Elections.

Sydney, March 29. The mining papers make a strong appeal to the electors to favour free trade, and express a hope - that this policy will be successful as far as New South Wales is concerned. Mr Reid at last’ night’s demonstration confidently predicted success. At the same time, the Bartoniaus express almost equal confidence. A forecast from Perth points to a majority for Freetraders in both Houses.

A Protectionists’ majority is assured in Victoria, though the F reetraders expect to win at least three seats in the House and a couple of seats in the Senate.

In other States the issue is less clearly cut, and is hard to forecast. Tbs polling at the first federal elections was conducted very quietly throughout the city and country. Great interest was manifested in the city to - night, King street being crowded. ;• * Mr G. H. Reid was returned for East Sydney by an overwhelming majority. ' The returns from The Hume up to 9 o’clock show that Sir W. Lyne is having a hafdltussle with Mr Goddard, a Freetrade candidate.

Mr Cooke, Postmaster-General, will have an easy victory for Parramatta. Sir William McMillan had a large majority over a Protectionist candidate for Wentworth.

Out of twenty-nine seats the Freetraders are leading for seventeen, and the Labour candidates are leading for three seats.

b March 30. - The figures < for Newcastle were wrongly posted/..'Later returns show that Mr Watkins, a Labour candidate, beat Mr Gilbert, by a large majority. For Cowper, Mr Clarke. Protectionist, has a good lead. Otherwise later returns to midday, including those for the Senate, have practically unchanged the position. Melbourne, March 30. For Yarra, Mr Tudor, Protectionist, was elected.