NATIONAL WIN

Evening Star, Issue 25495, 28 May 1945, Page 4

NATIONAL WIN

MS ROSS TAKES HAMILTON SEAT A CLEAR-CUT VICTORY (P.A.) HAMILTON, Ma- 27. The latest figures for the Hamilton by-election available to-night are as follows: Civilian Forces Votes. Votes. Total. Mrs HILDA ROSS (National) 0,116 137 6,253 C. A. Barrell (Labour) ... 5,131 -160 5,291 J. A. Lee (Democratic Lahour) 1,095 44 1,139 D. J. Seymour (Independent) 129 10 139 According to a message from Wellington, the Chief Electoral Officer, Mr L. Jrwin, said there was still a number of forces votes to come in and also approximately 344 absentee and 286 postal votes to be counted. The poll was not a heavy one, and the returns were to hand in record time. Almost from the start it was apparent that the National Party was going to retain the seat. The final result must be considered clear-cut. in that out of 25 polling booths Mrs Ross held a majority, in some cases a very

decisive one, at 18. The Labour candidate led at the three Frankton booths and at the major booth at Hamilton East.

Scenes of enthusiasm greeted the successful candidate, Mrs Ross, when she stepped from the ' Waikato Times' building to address the public after the result of the polling had been announced. She briefly thanked the electors of Hamilton and the members of her committee. " 1 am not often at a loss for words, but I am to-night," said Mrs Boss, "I would like to thank all who voted for me, and assure you that I will represent everybody, whether or not they voted for me." Mrs Ross added that she rejoiced in the victory for the National Party. She promised that she would work as hard in Parliament as she had for the welfare of Hamilton. "lam a very iproud woman to-night, and I thank you very much," she concluded. The Labour candidate, Mr Barrell, received an equally warm reception. " First of all, I want to congratulate Mrs Ross on her great win," he said. " I am a great believer in democracy, and I am prepared to take the ruling of the people, " I always want to be a gentleman, and no -gentleman can ever take a seat from a lady," Mr Barrell added, amid laughter from the crowd. He concluded by pointing out that the campaign had been conducted verv cleanly. A ban-ago of "boos" greeted the Democratic Labour candidate, Mr Lee, when he approached the microphone, and for half a minute he wag unable to make himself heard.'

Following are dotails of the voting for the Hamilton seat at tho General Elections in 1943 ano 193 S :

1943—F. Findlav (National), 6,877; C. A. Barrell (Labour), 6,351; A. E. Allen (Democratic Labour), 885; W. H. Thompson (Real Democracy). 193. 1938-C. A. (Barrell (Labour), 7.722; A. W. Grant (National). 5.862.