Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Wednesday 2 October 1940, page 15


Two Wins For Government

Narrow victories by Government supporters in two doubtful seats in New South Wales have assured the Menzies Government of a majority of at least

two in the House of Representatives. Mr. E. S Spooner (O_AP.>. the former New South Wales Minister of Works, won Robertson by 345 votes and Mr T. J Collins fU.CP.) retained Hume by 923 votes The Government win in Hume suggests that it may also retain Riverina, and restores fatal: hopes of the retention of Calare. Riverina and Calare, with Maranoa (Queensland) and Ballarat fVIc). are the only remaining doubtful seats Other results yesterday lnciudea the capture of Watson and Macquarle (NS.W.) by Labor, the retention of Martin (N.S W ) by the Government, and a Government win in Denison CTas.>. The results in these Tour electorates have been foregone conclusions, however, for several days Mr. Rosevear. the sitting member, retained Dalley for the Labor Non-Communist Party, but Mr. Gander, of tho same party. lost Reid to Mr C A Morgan, Official Labor candidate This has reduced the strength of the Labor Non-Communist Parly in the House of Representatives from five to four The Government members defeated] In Macquarie and Watson were Messrs. J. N. Lawson, a former Minister of Customs, and Mr. J. T Jennings The successful Labor candidates were Mr J. B Chlfley in Macquarie and Mr S M Falstein in Watson, both running as Official Labor candidates. Mr. W. V McCall. the sitting U-A.P member, had a small absolute majority in Martin on the final count. Counting for the Denison seat m Tasmania was completed yesterday, and resulted in the defeat ol Mr G W Mahoney the sitting Labor member, by 474 votes Final figures were:—A J BPck <tJ.A.P.>. 12525: Mahoney. 12.551 In Bass there are a few votes remain-Ing to be counted, but they cannot affect the position of the sitting member, Mr. H. C. Barnard (Lab.) who is certain to be returned. In Ballarat in Victoria, Mr. Pollard, the sitting Labor member, again improved his position slightly in the distribution of primary votes, and at the close of counting last night led Mr. Montgomery fU-AJ 3.) by 3.606 votes. While there are indications that the final vote will be close. Labor is confidenr about the outcome, particularly as- a survey of a large parcel of absentn; votes indicated that Mr Pollard was rparkcd No 2 on 3bout 25 per cent of the votes of Mi Russell ?.he Independent candidate.TMe TMe position in Maranoa. in QueenslasfiTis unchanged Mr. Baker IAIi 1.) still has a lead of slightly more than HALL'S DRY GINGER ALE Delicious with a slice of lemon. •'

ZJ^J, *«* about 5.000 votes to be counted. However, with Mr Mc-G*** «Cf -) daily reductag the lee-Si e g?veramenfs prospects of retaining the seat are still considered bright Only 109 votes were runted yestenday. and of these MrMcGeocb Madden (Ind.) four. On present figures Mr. McGeoch needs nearly twothirds of Mr Madden's preferences to win but it is expected £hattMspercentege wffl.be progressively reduced as the remaining primary votes are counted A count ot the preferences will now be necessary to decide the issue In the Adelaide contest. With about 30 or •40 votes only outstanding, Mr Stacey the sitting U.A.P member, is now 89 votes short of an absolute majority over the combined totals of bis three opponents. A recheck of the ballot papers is being made, but even in the event of there being a variation of the figures In Mr. Stacey's favor, it is not considered likely that it would be sufficient to obviate the need for a count of preferences Indications are that in the count of the preferences only one exclusion will be necessary to elect Mr. Stacey. as he is expected to receive at least 30 per cent, of the preferences of Mr. A. A. Edwards (Ind. Lab.), who, as the candidate with the least number of primary votes will be the first to be excluded. The declaration of the poll in Hindmarsh will be held at the Port Adelaide Town Hall at noon on Friday. The count in Fremantle yesterday again favored the Federal Opposition leader (Mr. Curtin), and his majority over his D.A.P. opponent. Mr. F. R. Lee. is now 989. S. W. Stephens. 121 King William street. Adelaide