TURN OVER OF VOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 231, 30 September 1927, Page 5

TURN OVER OF VOTES.

LABOUR LEADER PLEASED. WHAT OF NEXT ELECTION ? UNPOPULARITY OF REFORM. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter^ WELLINGTON, Thursday. "The result indicates quite clearly the established unpopularity of the Reform Government," said Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, when interviewed. He expressed satisfaction with the result of the poll, and said he welcomed the advent of Mr. Lee Martin to the House as a valuable asset to the Opposition forces. The Labour party was naturally very pleased with the result. The contest was the cleanest one he had ever taken part in. It was quite free from personal attack, and was fought out on the groundwork of principles. The fact that on the figures available the majority of over 3000 votes which the late Mr. Bollard had at the last election had not only disappeared but had been turned into a minority showed how the support had fallen oft from the Reform Government. "Mr. Lee Martin, who is a working farmer, will be a very great asset to the ranks of the Labour party in opposition in the House," said Mr. Holland. "It seems to me that this fairly indicates the change that is likely to take place when the next election is held, in 1928. The result completely disposes of the old bogey that the Labour party is-antagonistic to the farmer, for in this case the candidate was a farmer and the constituency was overwhelmi::jly rural.