LABOUR’S LOSS OF SEATS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26524, 12 September 1951, Page 6

LABOUR’S LOSS OF SEATS

“ PARLIAMENT WILL BE THE POORER”

MR NASH’S PRAISE OF DEFEATED MEMBERS

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON", September 11. The figures for the final count announced to-night confirmed the trend shown by the provisional results on the night of the election, Said the Leader of the Opposition <Mr Nash) to-night. The electors had given their decision, he said, and in accord with its democratic policy this decision was accepted by the Labour Party. Parliament, however, would be the poorer for the loSs of some very gooi men. said Mr Nash. Mr F. Jones, as Minister of Defence, had carried the load of the war years in a manner that won the approval of all associated with the conduct of the war. Mr T. H. McCombs, one of the. ablest of the younger members, did splendid work as Minister of Education and woulu also be sadly missed. Mr R. A. Keeling, in the short space of 21 months, won the commendation of all with whom he came in contact and gave promise of a great Parliamentary career, added Mr Nash. Mr A. E. Armstrong, during his years as member for Napier, had shown a fighting spirit that would be much missel from the debates.

“They will all later, I believe, come back to Parliament to serve New Zealand and the Labour movement” said Mr Nash. “In the meantime the elected Labour members will carry on the work of protßting the interests of the workers, the Social security beneficiaries, and those on the lower incomes. Labour will continue its fieh' and later will. I believe, again become the Government in the interests of the mass of the people.” Mr Nash said the most pleasing feature of the whole campaign and it« results had been the wonderful majorities received by the Labour candidates in the four Maori seats This was a tribute not Ohly to the late Mr Feaser but also to the foresight of the Maori peoole.

ai^L th kl ked th u electors nt Hi’tt for giving him such a substantial majority.

FEWER INFORMAL VOTES

IN AUCKLAND (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. September 11 In line with the light poll at the election, there was a correspondin'* decrease in th* number o- informal votes cast in the 12 Auckland electorates on September 1 Figures released with the official count tn-nieht showed that onlv Obe electorate. Arch Hill, had the same nt’mb»r of informal votes this year aS in 1940. All the others showed substantial decreases in the number of informal vote*.