FIFTY-FIVE SEATS OUT OF EIGHTY

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 262, 5 November 1925, Page 9

FIFTY-FIVE SEATS OUT OF EIGHTY

REFORM PARTY SWAMPS HOUSE LIBERALS AND LABOUR LOSE HEAVILY It is years since so much interest'was shown in an election, and now that it is all over surprise is the feature of the way the news was received. Even the most ardent i tnends of Reform did not dream of such "an embarrassment of riches "as twothirds of the total number of seatfe in the House. In practically every electorate there was a heavy poll, and in many instances very nearly a record must have been established. As far & as Auckland and the North generally are concerned there has been practically no change m representation, and in the vicinity of the city every one of the old members has been returned again. North of Auckland, Marsden was the only electorate where the people made a change. In the sixteen seats where new members were chosen, the Government gained all but two—one National and Sir Joseph Ward, whose re-election to the House, by the by, will be received with satisfaction th roughout the Dominion, even his political opponents agreeing in praising the good work he did for New Zealand during many arduous years of office. In spite of the heavy polls the results were announced with commendable promptitude, and for their fine organisation the returning officers and their staffs must be congratulated. Auckland City was particularly efficiently served. Approximately 641,665 votes were ca st in the Dominion compared with 618,506 in the 1922 election, an increase of close on 24,000 votes. Comparing the 1925 and 1922. figures we find that the Government votes have increased by 41,164, Labour by 28,825, while the Liberal decreased by 34,495.