AFTER THE POLL

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 148, 19 December 1929, Page 10

AFTER THE POLL

CANDIDATES' SPEECHES

BIG CROWD AT LOWER HUTT

The "Evening Post" results board at the Lower Hutt was on the north side of the King George's Theatre, facing a large vacant section. By 8 o'clock a large crowd had collected there; and'when the figures for the last polling-booth appeared and the totals were given, the result was greeted with cheers. It seemed clear that a majority of those present favoured the Labour candidate, but when, shortly afterwards, Mr. Harold Johnston (the Reform candidate) arrived he met with a good-humoured reception, only a few "boos" accompanying the cheers that greeted him. In spite of the rain, the crowd stood very patiently throughout the proceedings.

"REFORM BANNER PLANTED."

Mr. Johnston congratulated Mr. Nash whole-heartedly, on tho very fine victory lie liaa achieved, saying that ho had fought tho fight, without any exception, well and hard. Both Mr. Nash and his leaders had conduct-

Ed themselves throughout the campaign in the most unexceptionable manner. He also congratulated Mr. Kerr on the very fine fight he had put up. He thanked the electors for the very good temper, goodwill, and good nature they had displayed all through the campaign. Wherever he had gone he had been met with at any rate, good nature and goodwill; and he thought that anyone might be proud to represent that very fine electorate. He thought that Mr. Nash was a lucky and a proud man, and he hoped and believed that he would look after the interests of all his constituents with the utmost diligence. (Applause.) As to the future, they had planted the Reform banner in tho Hutt electorate again, and they were going to keep it flying. He was not ashamed to be in a minority when he believed that that minority was advocating right principles; and he was sustained by tho knowledge that minorities had a habit of growing into majorities, and by the hope that although "Nash this time" had prevailed, "Johnston next time" would prevail. He would come before them again and ask for their support; and ho thought that "next time" was not very far off. He thanked most heartily all those who had supported him, his committees and tho organisations that had worked for him. In conclusion, he called for cheers for Mr. Nash and Mr. Kerr. "FIRST LABOUR MEMBER FOR HUTT.' Mr. Nash, who was received with loud cheers, thanked most sincerely the people of the Hutt electorate for the confidence they had placed in him by giving him the largest number of votes as against the other candidates. He assured them that when the final figures went up they would find that for the first time, there would be a Labour, member representing them in Parliament; and, having the honour and

tho privilege of representing them, he pledged himself to do all he could to live up to t.he honour they had conferred upon him and to be true to the trust they had placed in him. (Cheers.) Then he would come back, give an account of his stewardship, and ask them to renew their confidence in him. He thanked everybody in the electorate who had worked so hard and ardently for him, and for the Labour movement. He knew the sacrifices they had made, and he wanted to thank all the electors of Hutt who had felt him worthy of their confidence and had voted for him. Mr. Nash called for three hearty cheers for each of his opponents, and the crowd responded heartily.

"NOT YET DEFEATED."

Mr. Kerr, who was also received with cheers, said: "It is with pleasure that I stand before you to-night to thank you for the splendid vote that you have recorded in my favour. The result so far is in doubt. There aro 657 votes to count yet; so, ladies ana gentlemen, 1 am not standing before you as a defeated candidate. (Applause and a few "boos.") I want to say that this election has been a wonderful victory for the United Party, which has had to carry big -odds in this fight. The vote shows tfrat the United Party still has the confidence of the people of this country. (Applause and laughter.) I congratulate Mr. Nash on the very fine- support that has been accorded him. That is true sportsmanship. I give him my heartiest congratulations. When the final figures are posted, if he is successful, I will be the first to congratulate him. (Applause.) I have nothing further to say now, except to thank all those who so ably assisted me in this campaign, and also to thank the electors of Lower Hutt for the. handsome vote they recorded in my' favour. For Mr. Johnston, I will say he put up the best fight he could, and is therefore worthy of our consideration. Again accept my thanks for the splendid vote you gave me. I am only a few votes behind; but I accept it in the true spirit in which it was given. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen." (Applause.)

At Mr. Kerr's call hearty cheers were given for both his opponents. There was a big crowd in the King George's Theatre; and it, too, was addressed by the candidates.

The candidates spoke in a similar strain at Petone, where each received a cordial reception. There were a few interjections during Mr. Johnston's speech, but when he concluded the Reform candidate was warmly applauded. Mr. Johnston specially thanked the electors of Eastbourne for the generous support they had accorded him.