12 MAY 1917, Page 2

Mr. Hughes-may be consoled at the results of -his. having

stayed in Australia to fight a General Election instead of representing Australia at the Conferences -in London. His own party, which bears his name, forms-together with the Liberals-the NationalistPartyewhich stands for a whole-hearted war policy. Opposed to him is the labour Party. The outcome of the elections ie that the Nationalist majority in the House of Representatives is twenty-five, as . com- pared with a majority of twenty-three in the last Parliament. Tn the Senate Mr. -Hughes's success is still . more striking. The Nationalist majority is- now ten,. as aomparcderith a-minority- of one in the last Parliament.