BAY OF ISLANDS

Evening Star, Issue 20033, 26 November 1928, Page 2

BAY OF ISLANDS

FARMERS’ UNION REPRESENTATIVE DISSATISFIED [Special xo tub •Stab.’] AUCKLAND, November 26. “ Although I have not beeii informed officially, 1 am quite sure that there will bo* a recount of the votes cast in the Bay of Islands electorate,” was the reply which was made to a representative of the ‘ Star ’ by Mr A. E. Robinson (secretary of the New Zeaand Farmers’ Union), when questioned concerning the election of Mr Allen Bell on the casting vote- of the returning officer, as against Mr H. M. Rushworth (the Country Party candidate), who had up to the last held the lead. Asked if he had any comment to make on the situation, Mr Robinson replied; “ I have only to state that it is unfortunate that a parcel of votes should bo found after our scrutineer had left, and when everything was supposed to he settled. The Country Party can hardly be expected to feel satisfied.” “ What do you mean by unfortunate? is that a complaint?” was asked. “It is not exactly a complaint confined to the Bay of Islands,” said Mr Robinson. “It applies to most electorates, and even to the licensing poll. I am not clear as to the postal votes. Under the new system it should not he possible for parcels of votes to go astray. If five or six votes are astray, there docs not even seem to be a certainty of the number, for the ‘ Star ’ mentions an informal vote which other papers ignore. Then there appears no certainty that other parcels of votes have not gone astray. There should bo no doubt at all, and if the svstem at present in use leaves doubt it is a. bad system. All thepostal votes should bo accounted for.” “ Have vou any remarks to make on the actual”recount? ” the pressman inquired . “It may show that Chose electors out of the district are not fully in touch with the political position,” Mr Robinson replied. “ The first count of the postal votes on election day gave fifty-two to Mr Bell, four to Mr Hornblow, add sixteen to Mr Rushworth. Apparently 304 more votes have come in, though the number given as still jto come was 350. There can hardly have been 46 informal votes. Mr Hornblow appears to have received l fiftv-four of these later postal votes. Mr Rushworth eighty-four, and Mr Bell i 166, which is a considerable alteration I in the proportions.” In. conclusion, Mr , Robinson remarked that the spirit'- in which the opponents of the Country. Pai;ty had acted left much to bo desired. In &up-

port of this view he quoted , from a circular beaded “Final Word,” issued by one of the candidates. It said: “* Don’t bo misled into the belief that tho Country Party can benefit this electorate by candidate. It is /ho use trying political experiments in >tho Bay of Islands and Hokianga portions of this electorate. The return of the Country, Party candidate means isolation pure and simple, a cessation of public works, a, lack of financial assistance, and tho ultimate spoliation of your country by going back into fern, scrub, and second growth. Vote straight out for Liberal, Labour, or Reform.” ' “ If there were any truth in such statements,” added Mr Robinson, “ it would be quite time we had another Government.”