AN INTERESTING RESULT

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 148, 19 December 1929, Page 8

AN INTERESTING RESULT

Unless Mr. Nash loses heavily in the count of absentee and postal votes, his return as member for Hutt is sure. This result was expected, though enthusiastic supporters of the other candidates tried to assure themselves and others that it was not. Nevertheless, in detail the voting reveals some surprises. Mr. Kerr polled much better than was generally anticipated. Mr. Nash lost ground, and Mr. Johnston did not make the headway which his personality and his high qualifications for public office merited. As we wrote before polling-day, too much importance cannot be attached to the result of a by-election in which personal and party issues were much mixed; but there are certain obvious conclusions to be drawn. Mr. Kerr polled 2600 votes less than Mr. Wilford secured last year (the difference will be less, of course, when the absentee and postal votes are counted). But the vote was, nevertheless, surprisingly good; Mr. Kerr was not well known in all parts of the electorate. He succeeded a member who had almost thirty years' Parliamentary experience; and he had against him a Reform candi- | date who took many of the votes which went to Mr. Wilford last year. Under the circumstances, it certainly cannot be said that the Government, as represented by Mr. Kerr, has suffered a notable check. The general opinion in the country is that the Government's credit has fallen since it has had to grapple with actual problems. Optimists who expected over-much have been disap-l pointed, and are now proving fickle —as other Governments have found them. But this change cannot be said to be registered with any degree of certainty in the Hutt result. With a small total vote and three candidates in the field, the Government vote has not fallen to the degree that would indicate a growth of public disfavour. On the other hand, Labour, though it has won the seat, has little reason to congratulate itself otherwise on the result. Mr. Nash was the best candidate Labour could find for such an electorate. He could be expected to poll the full Labour vote, and to win also the support of those electors who wished to try something new. Yet his vote was 1200 less than the vote he secured last year, and also proportionately less, having regard to the smaller poll. Labour cannot take this as a vote of confidence. On the contrary, it shows that the Labour platform has not advanced in public favour. We should like to regard it as a rebuke to Mr. Holland for his brazen attempt to bid up for the Public Service vote; but we doubt if the electors are really entitled to credit for intentionally giving the Labour Leader a lesson. At any rate, Labour did not gain by such tactics, since it did not gain at all. Naturally we are disappointed that Mr. Johnston did not do better. It may be that the Reform supporters, having had no candidate for seven years, could not be rallied in the short campaign; but it is regrettable that the non-party voters did not take this opportunity of expressing their appreciation of. the entry of an outstanding man into the political field. We cannot hope to see the personai standard of Parliamentary representation raised unless, when good men come forward, they are given every assistance. There is much public complaint of the personal ■ weakness of Parliament. Those who complain should help to remedy this when they are given the opportunity. Mr. Johnston did his part, and did it well and, though the electors have been slow to do their part, we hope he will not be discouraged. Sooner or later the triangular political problem must be faced. The present leaders give no sign of facing it of their own volition. There must be pressure from outside This pressure can best be exerted by returning to Parliament men who, though pledged to a party, could be expected to realise the facts of the present situation and to support this realisation by courage and capacity in action. No progress has been made in this direction in the Hutt by-election; but at least the by-election has not been an endorsement of three-partyism, and by permitting the return of a minority Labour candidate, it has shown some of its perils.