A TRIUMPH FOR THE GOVERNMENT

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 164, 29 March 1923, Page 7

A TRIUMPH FOR THE GOVERNMENT

TAURANGA DECISIVELY WON REFORMER’S MAJORITY OVER A THOUSAND X “A NATIONAL VICTORY” SAYS PRIME MINISTER The result of the Tauranga by-election, held yes-, terday, was a triumph for the Government, the Reform candidate (Mr. C. E. MacMillan) winning the seat by a majority of more than a thousand votes.- Mr. MacMillan had a lead at most of the polling places. The •final returns supplied by the Press Association and the Electoral Office respectively differ very slightly. The ' Electoral Office figures are:— MacMillan . .j.. • •••j 4250 Ward L . 3134 i , ' ' Majority for MacMillan 1116

DETAILS OF THE POLLING I Returns of voting at each polling-place', as supplied by the local electoral

VICTOR AND VANQUISHED THE CANDIDATES’ . SPEECHES BY telegraph—press association. Tauranga, March 28. . Probably never before in the history of the Dominion .has such a memorable by-election as that held here to-day been so decisively settled, and the results so promptly made known. By 7 o’clock the result was beyond all doubt, ‘‘ and by 7.40 the last small return came to hand, giving Mr. MacMillan a majority of 1102. The total valid votes cast was 7370, while the valid and invalid votes at last election were 76.54. In this town polling was steady all day, and, as had been generally predicted, it gave a majority for Sir Joseph Ward, although S smaller one than the Liberals anticipated. Immediately the final result was known, Mr. MacMillan addressed a large crowd from the balcony of the Star Hotel. On coming forward Mr. MacMillan was received with cheers. Mr. H. A. Sharp, chairman of Mr. MacMillan’s committee, said that on the previous night he had taken the chair there, and he was very proud to say that the results of the election had been satisfactory to himself, the committee, and the public of Tauranga. Ho understood that Sir Joseph Ward would address the electors from the Commercial Hotel They had invited him to speak at the Star Hotel, but ho had said that he would prefer to speak from the Commercial Hotel. Ho (Mr Sharp) had the greatest pleasure in introducing Mr. Charles Edward Dcdabarca MacMillan. (Applause and cheers.) THE NEW MEMBER Mr. MacMillan, addressing the crowd, which was the gieatest that has ever gathered on -Ki oSatK'fc uipiit in Tauranga, thanked the electors most heartily for the support accorded him. The result of this election was a complete vindication of the Massey Administration, and also a tribute to the memory of the late Sir William Herries. As regards the conduct of the election campaign, he waß very well satisfied. Sir Joseph Ward contested the seat in an honourable way. He was extremely sorry that Sir Joseph Ward was not on S ho balcony so that they could.shako anils. Sir Joseph Ward was"a guosl, in the town, and the speaker hacT given him an invitation to come round to the Star Hotel. Thio (Mr.

MacMillan’s) home town. He was quite satisfied, after addressing the electors, to go round and shake hands with Sir Joseph Ward. He thanked the electors warmly. He considered, that the proutfest moment of his life had been that in which the late Sir William Harries had said he was qualified to represent the const’tuency. v ■ Mr. MacMillan ■concluded: “I thank you most heartily. If you are not satisfied, at the next election I will take my defeat like a man.” Mr. MacMillan then called for three cheers for Sir Joseph Ward, which were heartily given. The crowd then gave three ringing cheers for Mr. MacMillan, followed by three cheers for Mr. Massey. Escorted bv his jubilant supporters to a buggy, Mr. MacMillan .was drawn by 'them to the Commercial Hotel, where a vast crowd cheered heartily as he wended his way to the balcony and took his place beside Sir Joseph Ward. He shook hands with Sir Joseph and called for three cheers for him, which were heartily given. SIR JOSEPH WARD’S INTENTIONS Sir Joseph Ward was also greeted with cheers when he commenced to speak. He wished, he said, to thank all who 'had recorded votes in his favour, and had no feeling of any sort, or kind against those who had not; supported him. He always recognised in a political fight that it was not possible for everyone to see eye to eye with him. The electors did exactly what he would do, and recorded their votes as they, felt disposed. Ho congratulated Mr. MacMillan on having been elected member for this important constituency, and expressed a hope that Mr. MacMillan would Be successful in Parliament. He accepted the decision of the electors as a philosopher and as a sportsman should do. He recognised that very difficult and important matters had" to be dealt with, and for that reason he had, at the invitation of a number of electors, agreed to stand for this by-election. He could beyond all question have been returned at last general election had he ' so desired, but for several reasons — health reasons principally —he had deferred endeavouring to get back into the political arena. The opportunity had arisen through the unfortunate death of Sir Will’am Herries, and he had accepted the invitation to contest the seat. He was convinced of the great importance of the matters he had been discussing during the campaign, and he proposed to take the opportunity of placing his views before the peo-

pie from end to end of the countrj’ in order to get the people to think he had not stood merely from tho standpoint of trying to get a seat in Parliament. Ho had a sincere desire for the country’s welfare. Ho was satisfied that the country was not in a strong position, but was on the verge of a very dangerous one, and for that reason he would take an opportunity, in his own way, of speaking as a private individual to tile people throughout the country, in order that they might commence to think on these vital questions. He had referred to many matters throughout tho campaign, but never once during the campaign to his opponent, except on the. previous evening—and then in no offensive way. He proposed to talk to the, people on matters he believed to be of vital importance to their welfare. He was not seeking to put any man out of political life, and had not sought it at the election; but ho believed. New Zealand was in a dangerous position, and that it would take the best brains in Parliament to put the country in a prosperous condition. “CONVICTIONS AND COURAGE In conclusion, he wished to say that he made no reflection on anyone as to the conduct of tho election, but ho® was quite aware how it had been conducted against him.' He had fought the election fairlv and clearly, land accepted the decision . with equanimity. Ho especially desired to thank membefs of the committees here and elsewhere'for tho manner in wh'ch they had worked fop him. He also thanked Mr. Milford and the other three members of Parliament who had come to help him. He had declined that assistance until he found himself almost overwhelmed bv those speaking on behalf of Ms. MacMillan. It was not to bo expected that everyone would agree with a man who had convictions and the courage to announce them. He thought * that ho must at least 'bo credited with not being afraid to put his opinions on record. Before many vears were over if would be found that a groat deal of what ho had placed before the people would be advocated and adopted from sheer necessity. He wished the people of Tsuranga the best of good luck. The campaign he had Just gone through in this beautiful district had done his health an immense amount of S °A d ’little after 9 o’clock +h& final figures were announced as follow: — MacMillian Ward 3134 Mr. Atmore. M.P., also briefly addressed the electors. He said that pH would admire th* very fine spirit in which tho candidates had accepted the decision. Without saving anything derogatory of Mr. MacMillan, he felt bound to' snv h" was sorry., for the sake of tho Domi iron, that the verdict was what it h"d been. He felt that the time -would come, and at no di°tant date, when New .Zealand would voice its desire that its. most enuupift financier should again take tn* reins of office. He was qn’tn sMJfiod +hat when the Dominion d'd cn]| for Sir Joseph Ward to resume his old position in Parliament, Tauranga. would join in the general chorus. MR. HOLLAND’S VIEWS • . “THE FIGHT OF THE FUTURE” BT TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION. Westport, March 28 Speaking after tlib result of the Tauranga election was known, Mr. H B. Holland, chai’■man of. the PiirljaYrientary Labour Party, said the resulthad no special significance, except to further indicate the declining popularity of the present Government and the inability of the T.iheral Party to “come back.” In 1919 the Government’s maiority was IB6o* in 1922 it stood at about 1400; this year .it was 1116: but there was re.nllv.no biff conflict of political principle involved. It was a struggle, between personnl-ti»« Had Sir Joseph Ward been elected he did not see how it would have affected tho political situation other than possibly to create some compl-cations for the Liberals. Tn all his speeches Rm Joseph Ward had made it clear he was utterly onposed to a dissolution of Parliament, but gave no indication o* what line of action he would take ’f elected, to obviate a dissolution. It was" clear to everybody that in such case a dissolution could only have beer averted by a coalition of Reforpiers and liberals (whethej of tho whole T.ibaral Party or only a section 1. What Tauranga made clear was that the fight of the future was between the Labour Party and the present Goveinmont, plus reinforcements from tM Liberal ranks. Already since December there had been two front rank de fections from the liberal ranks, and he was of opinion that the Tauranga result would have the effect, of wiiy certain other Conservative-Liberals into Mr. Massev’s camp. One of the inevitab-'litios of the near future was ■ a Reform-Liberal coab'+ion. There han been no Labour candidate in the field at Tauranga merely because of lack of organisation, hut that would be remedied and a Labour candidate would take the field there when" the next general election eventuated. He also honed to'see a labour candidate in the field for every constituency m the Dominion. SPEECHES AT TE AROHA PRIME MINISTER AND MR. WILFORD BY TELEGRAPH.— SpeciaI Correspondent. Te Aroha, March 28. The surprise of the result of the Tailranga by-election♦ is not so rnuch tno defeat of the Opposition candidate, but the fact that he has been so decisively beaten It is always easy to bo wise after the event, but in this case the prediction of success was confident from the outset of the campaign. Close observers of the wjde sweep of the contest and its singularities recognised from the first that Sir Joseph Ward ihnd been set an impossible task to justify all the claims made in respect of his candidature. There is no necc»aitv now to discuss tho campaign. Tlib result in conclusive. It should lie emphasised that at To Aroha to-night the Leader of tho Onposition was the first legislator to congratulate tho Primp Minister, with sinverity and cordiality, upon what Mr. Wilford aptly characterised “a great victory.” Mr. Massey nnd Mr. Wilford had to respond to enthusiastic demands for speeches from the balcony of the Palnee Hotel. There was a great crowd in the street, nnd its enthusiasm was keen, even though its ranks contained many irreconcilable opponents of tho Government. The Prime Minister was— erected with rousfhg cheers ns ho stood forward to address tho people. He expressed at the outset his deep gratitude for the splendid support accorded to the Government candidate in the d'fferont centres of a groat electorate Ho also desired from the bottom., of his heart to return thanks on bebnlf of the candidate who, ho wn,s confident. would make a good member of Parliament, well able to look after all

the requirements of his constituents, and also to contribute effectively to any great national question. AVOIDING GENERAL ELECTION" “As far as the Government is concerned,” continued Mr. Massey, “I believe that after what has taken place to-day it will bo possible to avoid anything in the way of a general election. Ho thought it was right to accent the decision as an indication that the Government could go on with the maiority it had at present! .There was still another election to be settled., but as the matter was still before the Election Court he would not express an ofcjnion ax to its result"‘Things are looking brighter, as you can understand, both for the Government and the country, and I have to thank the electors of Tauranga for it. I thank all those who have worked so hard to make Mr. MacMillan’s candidature a success. I thank each and every one of them, and especially the energetiip committees and the hospitable people in the electorate for the •manner -in which they* worked, and for their memorable kindness to myself.” At this stage a man in _ the crowd made a very disagreeable interjection which need not be repeated. Mr. Massey said that it was a discordant note and was not worthy of the occasion. NOT GLOATING “I am naturally pleased with the victory; Ido not gloat over the defeat of the Liberal candidate,” he continued. “I have never gloated oyer the defeat of any candidate in my life, and I never will. (Applause.) There has been a certain amount of feeling in the campaign. That was to be expected. I know perfectly well that such important election cannot be decided without it. I have had many victories, but this one is the most glorious of them all. (Cheers.) I thank the electors of Tauranga again.” (Applause-' The Leader of ’the Opposition was also received with great enthusiasm. “I desire to to congratulate tho 'Right Honourable tho Prime Minister and tho Beform candidate,” said Mr. Milford, “upon the majority they have obtained in the great fight that has just finished. It is a first Libera] principle that, as in victory, so you should, bo in defeat —(applause)—and tile first duty of the man who is beaten in a political fight, such as we have just undertaken, is to congratulate the winner. We hope, perhaps, that at some future .time we may be in the position to return the winning speech that the Prime Minister has just had the right to make.” “A NATIONAL VICTORY” MR. MASSEY’S CLAIM BY TELEGBAPH.— Special Cobrespondent. To Aroha, March .28. After all the joyousness of victory had given way in this town to friendly talk everywhere about the amazing victory of tlio Government, the Prime Minister made this statement: “What has pleased me perhaps . more, than anything el so in connection with tho result to-day .is the fact that the electors of Taurangia were loyal to the memory of Sir William Kerries. That has been proved in an unmistakable manner. Need I express the hope that all the asperities of the contest will bo forgottenP “I have no doubt at all that the effect of this election will bo good. I think the "result shows that the Government still retains the confidence of its supporters throughout tho Dominion. It would be a pretence to overlook tho fact that tho issue of the hard campaign was made national, and I feel justified in "the result thcil I may claim a national victory.” I cannot help being proud and please with tho decision of" tho great niav’r itv of iho electors of Tauranga. The political position was clearly put before them, and emphasised time and again on many platforms. Their decision to-day shows, in my "opinion, that they have given very serious consideration to it-”

office, are:— * ' By-election, Gen. Election, » < 1923. 1922. Polling Places. MacMillan . Ward. JohnHerries. stone. 46 12 40 Bethlehem kudlic oonuui »• 32 45 27 52 Gold Reefs, xe ruse, ivuur s .... 10 37 21 23 Gordon Public School : .... 99 31 79 ■ 61 52 21 48 26 Hemesville.• tn® oirowgivunu .... 21 Kaimai, Public School. Lower Kaimai 18 • X I 70 10 Katikati ’ Central, Public School. 92 .... 10 43 ' 6 93 33 .... 56 8/ 68 9 Kiwitahi Public School ••••• Kiwitahi, the Soldiers’ Hall 29 .... 18 24 30 33 14 »Maketu, monc ocuuui .... 131 >72 116 70 Mangawhero PublicSchool Klatamata Public. School ’•'•••*’ .... 33 .... 349 17 264 33 358 13 262 Maungatapu; the Nat’ve School Mt. Mannganui, Parish Hall Schoolroom . Morrinsville Courthouse .... 32 53 .... 378 8 114 320 50 . 347 111 332 .... 59 39 iNgarua ruouc ©cjimui Okauiti, Taiiranga Public School .... 20 15 11 19 21 Ohauia Public School •••••••••••••• Omanawa Palls Public School Omokoroa Publ.c School • •••• 1Z 16 24 20 69 14 23 39 21 UrOpi rUOJIC ouuuui- .... 50 27 60 26 .... 107 44 107 43 .... 52 9 54 13 Papamoa Public School *Paroa. Berquist’s Mill. Papamoa ........... Peri a Public School. Matai Rd., M Mata .. .... 33 ' 18 35 17 Rangiuru Rond, Public School Ruakaka, Te Arche, Meikle’a Motor Garage Scotchman’s Vai., Tahuroa. Mrs. C. bhaws he Tauranga, Coronation Hall 43 ... 35 8 15 24 41 14 >use 21 .... 466 .... 103 8 515 79 27 525 160 399 109 lauranga jnouo ocjujuj •<•••• * , Tauranga, Show Shed, cr. Cameron Road : and .... 67 47 68 54- .... 34 1017 10 jauriKO JrUDiic oothnh Post Office, Taunko Sawpill.. Te Arona Courthouse .... 17 .... 280 26 287 20 330 29 243 .... 157 163 188 le Arona, • aiace lueutitj Te Aroha West, the Pubhc Hall .... 82 52 65 43 Te Kopua. Broad’s Flaxmill 13 32 18 41 ’le Miro x none duiuul Te Puke, Denver's Auction Room .. .... ‘352 300 371 Te Puke, No 2 School. No. 2 Road .... 28 17 47 Te Puke Public School. Te Matai Road 33 6 32 3 Te Puna Public School 31 26 39 Turanga-a-moana Public School 17 45 18 tipper"Papamoa Publje School 20 .... 124 7 93 14 109 10 130 yva-naroa xuo.it dlhuui ■ .... 80 43 93 47 vvainou ruoi'c etuuvi ................. Waitakohe, No 3/Pubho School .... 62 10 57 14 57 ' .... 121 61 130 yvni ton mono ouiwh ..... WardviUe Public School .... 52 18 47 ■ ■ 18 Whakamarnma Public School 21 15 23 ■ - - • —- 82 Absent voteis permits 19 .... 4250 3134 4488 3048 *Abol : shed. ’About 200 absent voters to come. The final returns tvere received at 8.20 p.m.