COLLEGE POLITICS

Evening Post, Issue 47, 23 August 1935, Page 11

COLLEGE POLITICS

SHADOW OF COMING EVENT ?

With a view- to making the pupils more conversant • with the' political machinery of a democratic community a mock election took place at Rongotai College yesterday, the results being announced at the conclusion of work in the' afternoon. Five similar campaigns/have been held, the idea being originated. in 1929. For the purposes of the-"poll each form is regarded as an electorate and is. given the name of some constituency in New Zealand. 'Officials are appointed, and voting papers issued.'

1 In each electorate a pupil was asked to stand as candidate in the interests of a "party." and for several days after morning prayers, the candidates addressed the electors. Seats were won as follows: "Labour," 8; "Democrats," .3; "Independents," 3; "Nationalists,"' 2. The principal, Mr. F. Martyn Renner, 1 stated that the observations of the staff showed that the boys cast their votes not according to any preconceived ideas, but had been influenced by the 'candidates' speeches; The speeches of ■ the various party leaders had been ex- ■ cellent, the "Labour" and "Democrat" ■candidates being the most able.. It had been a splendid means of giving the boys an insight into the working of the political machine.'