HAURAKI BY-ELECTION

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 119, 22 May 1931, Page 8

HAURAKI BY-ELECTION

PARTY PROSPECTS

REFORM CAUSE HARMED

(By Telegraph.) (From "Post's" Special Reporter.) | HAMILTON, This Day. Judging by present appearances, and from opinions expressed by representatives of tho four parties engaged in the fight, the Hauraki by-cleetion is 1 likely to be very closely contested. At the Geheral Election .Reform had ;i uomfortablo majority, but it is stated that on this occasion Mr. A. A. Rosa (Country Party) will claim a number of votes which went to tho late Mr. A. W. Hall in 1928. Especially is this likely to bo the case in the southern part of the electorate, whero Mr. Coates's refusal of the fusion offer appears to havo done tho Kefprm causo soino harm.

As a straight-out opponent of the wago cuts, Mr. C. E. Petrie, tho Labour candidate, will probably improve on his vote of 2400 in, 1928, and ono close observer express*! tho view that the candidate who secures 3000 votes will win.

The United Party also hopes to improve its General Electiou vote.

At present thoro appears to bo only one certainty, and that is that the Country Party nominee will bo last. Tho representatives of the three main parties will- probably be well bunched tvhon they enter the straight.