Even Better Than Figures Show!

Evening Star, Issue 20024, 15 November 1928, Page 6

Even Better Than Figures Show!

Comment by Sir Joseph Ward

Supporters Outside United Ranks

Policy Statement to Follow Conference

[Pr.R United Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, November ,15. Interviewed to-day, Sir Joseph Ward said ho was naturally very proud of the results. As he had publicly stated during his speeches, there was great backing for the United Party throughout Hie country, and that party, on the day after the election, had been found not to bo the inconsequential organisation that tho Prime "Minister had led people to believe it. The results were very much better than indicated in tho statements made as to the strength of the United Party. There were other men returned who had informed him during tho election that, if successful, they would ho supporters of tho United Party. This was not the occasion for him to give details, but it was an undeniable fact that tho country desired a change of government, and no one could fleny that the people had decided by a large majority that a change must be effected. There was no need to discuss what man had the right to move the vote of no-confidence, if such were necessary, when the House met. That privilege, in accordance with the constitution of the House, belonged to the leader of tho largest party in opposition, au.d the United had an absolute majority over either of the other two parlies. They need have no misgivings as to the safety of the country in the hands of the United Party and under its policy. Ho was firmly convinced it would lead to happier and better conditions, and would make for the prosperity of the dominion. - He was leaving for Wellington either to-night or to-morrow, and would have an early conference with the members of bis party. After this had taken place he hoped to be in a position, with tho concurrence of the members, to outline its policy in full. CITY ELECTORATES DUHEDtH SOUTH UNCERTAIN ABSENTEE AND POSTAL VOTES Although Hie postal votes will be counted 10-morrow, the announcement of the final result of the Dunedin South election must necessarily be delayed loi about a week. Dunedin South promises to provide as much fowl for speculation as did tho Lyttelton seat last election, when the Reform candidate (Mr M. L. Lyons) was only one or two votes ahead of Mi J. M'Combs (Labour) on the night of polling day. Later recounts, however, ended in the Labour candidate being declared elected by a majority of eleven votes. Anything can happen iu Dunedin South, as Mr R. W. Hall has only a majority of twenty over Mr W. B. Taverner. Tho scrutiny of the rolls will be started to-morrow, and it is not expected that the official recount will commence before Wednesday next. Particulars of the votes yet to bo added to the total east in the Dunedin South electorate arc as follow: Absentee ®| l) Postal 204 Seamen ' j{ the registrar is salisited that the signatures on the certificates are those of the electors the postal ballot papers are set aside and recorded as votes iu the manner prescribed lor oulinaiy voles at the time of the scrutiny ol the roll. That means that within the next few days tho effect on tho totals of both Mr Hall and Mr Taverner will bo known; but with 605 absentee votes to be counted electors of Dunedin South will be kept speculating for a few more days. According to the .Electoral Act absentee votes authenticated arc to be placed in a special box set aside for tho purpose. The box shall not be opened until the official count, which Mr JJ. D. Tcnncnt (returning officer) anticipates starling about Wednesday next. The absentee, postal, and seamen’s votes yet to ho counted in the other city electorates cannot a fleet the results. They arc:— DUNEDIN NORTH. Absentee 6]--Postal HU Seamen U DUNEDIN CENTRAL. Absentee 432 Postal 141 Seamen ... -6 DUNEDIN WEST. Absentee 613 Postal 104 Seamen 10 CHALMERS. Absentee 426 Postal IUB Seamen 9

POLITICAL PROSPECTS SHORT SESSION AFTER NEW YEAR , REFORM MUST TAKE THE COUNT SIR JOSEPH ENTITLED TO ADJOURNMENT [Special to xhb ‘ Stab.’] 4 WELLINGTON, November 15. Some election results are still uncertain, mainly owing to the large number of absent voters’ permits outstanding, but the figures generally contain no element of uncertainty on the party positions. Thus it is clear that tho next move is for the Prime Minister to call Parliament together to ascertain formally the obvious position that he is destined iu due course to become Leader of the Opposition. For this purpose Labour will vote solidly with the United Party on the no-confidence motion which Sir Joseph Ward has tho parliamentary right to move as leader of the lager Opposition section, leader of the larger Opposition section. What will happen next? Sir Joseph Ward will secure an adjournment of the House to form Ills Ministry. This short session could hardly be expected until after the New Year, as the election situation, with its recounts and possible petitions, has to bo proved beyond doubt in every constituency before Parliament can be summoned. With the no-cuulidcnce motion passed Sir Joseph Ward, on becoming Prime Minister, will be entitled to msk for time to frame tho Government’s sessional programme, and this would probably mean an adjournment until June. THE LAST BIG CHANCE. It was the 1911 election which brought the former Liberal Government into difficulties, and p special session had to bo called for the purpose ot ascertaining the exact stale of parties. The Ward Government won on tho casting vole of Sir Arthur Guinness, the Speaker. This session opened on February 15, and Sir Joseph Ward, prior to the crucial division, announced, that ho iiwudcd, oven if lie won, to resign the leadership. The session ended on March 1, and a meeting of the Liberal Party on March 22 appointed Sir Thomas Mackenzie as leader. Within a week ho had selected his Cabinet, which did not meet Parliament until June 27. This session in turn was politically exciting, as within ten days Air Massey had defeated the Ministry by 41 votes to 33. Tho chango from the February situation was duo to tho secession of three Liberal freeholders, comprising tho present Prime Minister (Mr Coates) and Mr T. W. Rhodes (Thames) and Air Vernon Reed (Buy of Islands). The new Prime Minister (Mr Massey) announced bis Cabinet within five days, and, having a working majority, proceeded with the session, which ended in November. ELECTION NIGHT AT PORT Although the headquarters of the Chalmers electorate was removed from Port Chalmers to the city about three years ago, Port Chalmers is still regarded at the leading centre in tho electorate. Consequently tho candidates met there last night to address the electors on tho declaration of tho poll. It was so late, however,* before tho result was obtained from Dunedin that Mr Walls, tho United candidate, could not wait for it, and had returned to Mosgicl, where he resides. Mr Ansell, the successful candidate, visited Port Chalmers, but was not feeling well, and had to return to his homo in North-east Valley before the poll was declared. Mr N. H. Campbell, the Labour candidate, addressed the doctors through the wireless, thanking all those who had supported him, and stating that although he had polled well, he believed lie would have clone better had ho had, the time to visit all the parts of tho scattered electorate. A satisfactory arrangement for receiving the polling results by wireless ami announcing them by loud speaker had been made by tho town clerk (Mr C. Blackman), the set being supplied by Barnet Radio Supplies and operated successfully by Mr M‘Ew»u and Mr Stroud for 4ZM station, A large crowd assembled iu King Edward Square to bear tho returns, many waiting until the Prime Minister’s speech came through after midnight. DOUBTFUL SEATS [Pen Uxrttfi Psoas Assocuijox,] CAMBRIDGE, November 15. There are 515 absent voters and 48 postal votes yet to count in tho Waikato electoral seat, and these may affect tho result. Mr Lye’s present majority is 39. (Mr Lye is the United candidate.) HAWERA, November 15. The final result in Patca electorate is still doubtful. Mr Dickie (Reform) has a load of 100. but there are still

414 absentee votes, and at least l>jb postal voles to be taken into account, AUCKLAND, November 15. The (Jrcy Lvnn result is doubtful. Mr Fletcher (’United) Ims a lead of 307 on the first count, but there are 544 absent votes, 07 postal, and 04 seamen’s votes to bo accounted lor. ASHBURTON. November 35. The Mid-Canterbury absentee and postal votes total 050, besides declarations. (Mr D. Jones. Reform, has a lead of 09.)