SMALL MAJORITY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21225, 23 September 1940, Page 8

SMALL MAJORITY

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MR MENZIES’ STATEMENT PROSECUTION OF WAR (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 23. 3.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sent. 23 On the latest returns the Morning Herald expects the Menzies Government to be returned with its majority reduced from ten to eight. The Daily Telegraph says the latest count indicates that the Government is likely to retain office with a majority of at least three seats. The Morning Herald gives the state of parties as:— United Australia Party .. 23 Country Party 14 Labour 30 Doubtful 7 The latest count increases the pobability of the defeat of Mr J. Curtin in Freemantle. Mr Lee is now only 34 votes behind. The blame for this reversal is attributed partly to over-confidence' by Mr Curtin’s immediate supporters and partly to Labour’s refusal to join the War Cabinet. Mr Menzies said the election must be regarded as a clear mandate to prosecute the war with the utmost vigour. Mr Curtin said the results suggested that the Government had not had conclusive testimony of public opinion. In view of his likely defeat he deputed Mr Forde, deputy-leader, to speak on behalf of the Labour Party. The Daily Telegraph’s Melbourne correspondent says fresh overtures to the Labour Party to form a National Government will be made by Mr Menzies as a result of the elections. The Senate Election The Senate count is still too limited to make any accurate forecast. The Government may return its Senate candidates in every State but New South Wales, which is the only State in which Labour has a lead in the votes counted so far. It appears likely that three Labour Senators will be returned. The New South Wales Government candidates are well ahead of all other States. It is likely the Government candidates will be returned for all seats in these states. This would return sixteen Senators supporting the Government and three supporting Labour. The Senators who did not retire were fourteen Labour and three Government. The new Senate, therefore, is likely to be:— Government 19 Labour 17 If, however, the Government loses its majority in the Senate the possibility of a double dissolution later arises. This problem will not have to be faced immediately, because the retiring Senators will not complete their term until June 30.