WIN AT WAIPAWA

Evening Star, Issue 20610, 9 October 1930, Page 6

WIN AT WAIPAWA

REFORM STRONGHOLD STORMED GOVERNMENT WINS BY-ELECTION MAORI SEAT RETAINED BY COATES PARTY [Per United Press Association.] .WELLINGTON, October B. Polling took place to-day in two electorates to fill vacancies in the House f Representatives caused by the death oi the sitting members. In the case of the Waipawa seat, formerly held by Sir George Hunter (Reform), the. Govern ment candidate (Mr A. E. dull) was returned. The Western Maori electorate, formerly represented by Sir Mam Pomare, remained loyal to Reform, the candidate for this party. Ala Taito To Tomo, winning the day. The voting was as follows; — WAIPAWA. ALFRED EDWARD JELL (United) 3.020 William Tucker (Reform) ... 3,312 WESTERN MAORI. TAITE TB TOMO (Reform) 3,921 Hand Tokouru Ratana (Ratana Party) ... ... . . ... ... 3,101 Poi To Hnrunui Jones (Young Maori Party) ... BSC There are six small returns to come, which cannot affect the result. A SIGNIFICANT VICTORY. [From On» Parliamjcstari Reporter.] WELLINGTON. October 8. “ I am naturally delighted at the result,” said the Acting Prime Minister (Mr E. A. Ransom), when commenting on the Waipawa by-election to-night.. “ Although wo were not successful in securing the Western Maori seat,” ho said, “an examination of the figures shows a decided decline in the Reform vote, while our success in Waipawa, which for many years has been a Re form stronghold, must ho regarded us a meritorious win for the Government. On tho ouo hand, Reform has retained a scat by adding to its minority members, while, on the other, United has secured a decided win in a straight-out contest on questions of policy. It is most significant that in practically every farming centre tho Reform vote has shown a marked decline, indicating that the Government is winning tho increased confidence of tho man on . tho land, and his support of its policy to promote closer settlement and to accelerate the development of our unoccupied areas. The electors of Waipawa aro to be congratulated on tboir endorsement of the Government’s bold policy in dealing with tho country’s financial difficulties. . They recognise that the first essential of sound Government is to balance tho national budget and that increased taxation, though not always palatable, is . necessary to secure that desirable objective.

“ Apart altogether from party considerations, Mr .1 nil, with Ins long experience in local body, activities, as chairman of the Counties’ Association, and as a member of the Highways Board, will prove an acquisition to the personnel of tho House of Representatives, and will bo a worthy successor to tho late Sir George Hunter, who was ■ a valued member for so many years.”

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES. Tho new member for Waipawa ,Mr A. E. dull) lias been prominent in local politics in Hawke’s Bay for many years, and for a long period has held the chairmanship of the Napier Harbour Board. For twenty years ho was a member of tho Waipawa County Council, a local body from which he retired a few years ago! Air Jull is not a newcomer to the political field, for he contested the Waipawa seat against tho late Sir George Hunter on several occasions. Ho is chairman of the Counties’ Association, a member of tho Highways Board, and a past president of tho Power Boards' Association. Though Air Jull has been in tho dominion for fifty-two years ho is a Canadian, having arrived in Hawke’s Bay at the age of thirteen. Mr Taito To Torao is a fanner by occupation, and has a thorough grasp of political questions as they affect the native population. t For many years ho has been a supporter of tho Reform Party, and for close on two decades h i acted as organiser for Sir Maui Pomaro, whom he now succeeds in Parliament as representative of tho Western Maori electorate. His candidature at the by-election was endorsed by tho Maori “King” of tho Waikato (Air To llata Alahuta), and in his election address Air To Tovno made it clear that it would be his aim to bring to finality tho various matters loft unfinished by Sir Alaui Pomare. Air To Tome hails from Halcombc.