PM Transcripts

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FOR PRESS P. M. No. 49/ 1963
GRBY BY-EIECTION
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt, Hon. Sir Robert Menzies
Grey has been regarded as a Labour stronghold,
Even since the general election of 1961, many voters have
been added to the roll in the industrial centres like Whyalla.
In 1961, Labour had an absolute majority of 7,000 over the
Liberal and DoL. Po candidates combined.
We threw ourselves into the by-election campaign,
hoping to reduce the absolute majority to 3 000 a result
which would have shown considerable movement it party support.
By the time the campaign finished, I found myself hoping
that the absolute majority might fall to 2,000. Mr. Dyason
was easily the best candidate in the field and making obvious
headway. On the voting so far, it seems clear that the
Labour absolate majority will fall to under 2,000, and this
in a by-election. By-elections have a long history of
tending to go against the Government in power.
I notice that Mr. Calwell is whistling hard as
he pretends to enjoy what he himself would call a Pyrrhic
victory. So far as the votes have been counted, the byelection
has given great encouragement to the Government,
CANBERRA, 3rd June, 19633