THE BY-ELECTION

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22727, 3 June 1939, Page 22

THE BY-ELECTION

■ ♦- ISSUE FOR DECISION TO-DAY CONTEST IN CHRISTCHURCH SOUTH RESULT EXPECTED EARLY IN EVENING The duly of deciding its representation in Parliament will be discharged by the Christchurch South electorate to-day. For 20 yea:';; the scat has been held by the Labour Pally, represented by Mr E. J. Howard, whose recent death caused (he by-election. The issue for I lie electors is clearly defined. Two candidates are olfering themselves --•Mr R. M. Maefaiianc (.Labour) and Mr M. E. Lyons (National). In the campaign six Ministers of the Clown including the Prime Minister Hhu Jit. lion. M. J. Savage), and three members of Parliament have assisted Mr Maelarlane and spoken in support of many aspects of I lie Government's administration. Mr Lyons, in his attacks on |he administration, has Riven particular emphasis to criticism of the Dominion's finances and of the social security legislation. Iloth candidates are well known Doih have unsuccessfully sour!)! Parham nils ry representation previously, and both have been prominent lor some years in municipal affairs. Mr Lyons has been a member of Hit' Christchurch City Council since 1!)27. lie had the remarkable experience in I:);!,■) of brim; declared elected a member of Parliament on the easting vote of the returning otlieer, and a lew months later of being unseated by the derision of an Electoral Court. Mr iViarfarkme first look his soil on the council in 1027. Defeated in 1020. he (ini not re, pain a seal until Itnti. Two years later lie was elected Mayor. Drill candidates hold other public office-. Maintaining that there has been a chains' in the political situation since the General Election of October last, Mr Lyons hopes for a chance of outlook amonc the electors sufficient to enable him to poll a vole that will turn Hi" Labour support of nearly 10.000 in Celnber, with a majority of nearly bOOO, into a minority. The conduct of tin campaign audiences is seldom a rood i;uidi■ to the votin' 1 ,, and in this i( sore! the campaign lias not. been an iserplion. Roth candidates have been well supported, both have had little trouble from interjeetors, Th" retni nhu; otlieer for the electorate i .Ur T. W. le-esei anticipates that lb" result of the poll will be available ebonl. 7,20 p.m. The booths will open at 0 a ;;i.. and will close at 7 p.m. niAKdKS AGAINST LALOLK “PRESENT CRISIS IS INKXCUSAHLK*’ COMMENT BY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION "The t-re ,:u :1 ramend crisis is 1 ,a-bom-maTi" ami j ; inexem al.de," • aid l':e i .e.’d"!' of 11; e Op; nisi I ion i tile 11011, d ''-mi Hami'beii. ;• pea kin a at a Imiehemi h"ld by tlm Christchurch National Parly in honour of Mr M. E. Lynns. the party's candidate for Christchurch South, The Labour Parly, he said, had based its policy on n play on the weaknesses- of the j ins 'pie. j Labour had claimed that there were ; only 7!0 unemployed in the country, i bnl Mils ekum could not be rrconi cited wit!i Ihe expend it in'" of ! if a.0(10.(100 Lit year in relief. In his opinion, tliiTi' v. i 11 ! cl be no funds loft by dm end of ibis month. This was an insiane" oi the maniu-r in which ; Labour eonl'i’ a d the peoule. | When Labour took oillce the Doj minion's iTwiip owrmas were exeelj j mt, How New ZeaV.nd was b'aekili ,■ c!. In r-d.-idiiiii, the Reserve Bank ! 1 ;,l b S 'S' 1 CO"" 1 -:" i V S-Mlld, 111 > t now i! Pm! an ov. rd vdl of about T 20.000.000. ;orsi,t Tvs! Get ions were destroying pi" eo l . adr Ns relations with (■'’■■nil Dsil-un, i; was essential that New 7,i a',;mil should be on the best m terms wiih (.'meal Britain. Never Im'me had years of record J,■ \ 11 ■ i,■ i ineum" brou.,hi dinmiie emerrep.cy measures. Reserves were ox-ime.-ted. over eas credit damaged, trade resfieled. and the cost of lividg was r-nriiiu. Tins was all a result oI "v-orani pence bv the Government. i’‘ ’ ■ I