PARNELL BY-ELECTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 May 1930, Page 5

PARNELL BY-ELECTION

TO-DAY’S POLLING PROSPECTS

WOMEN IN MAJORITY

[SPECIAL TO “STAR.”]

AUCKLAND, May 5.

The almost sensational mannei’ in which Mr. H. R. Jenkins resigned his seat because of his quarrel with the Government, presaged the most exciting by-election for years, but things have turned out somewhat differently, and the campaigning has been singularly free from heat and recrimination. Indeed, the contest has been dubbed “a dull affair,” by those who remember such bright campaigning as was provided, for instance, by the Tauranga by-election in 1923, when the present Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) made a strenuous but unsuccesfsul effort to re-enter active political life. However, the closing stages of the campaign have been enlivened by the speeches of visiting members of Parliament. There are more women effectors than men in Parnell. At the general election, the roll contained 14,073 names of which women numbered 7,796 and men 7,277. On this occasion the roll strength is 14,019, and although the precise number of women and men has not yet been ascertained, it seems safe in view of the similarity of the total votes, to surmise that the women are still approximately 1500 votes in the majority, as there have been no subsequent alterations in the electoral boundaries. The voting at the general election w r as as follows: — H. R. Jenkins (United) 5642 J. S. Dickson (Reform) 4793 J. W. Yarnall (Labour) 1661 Informal 83 Total votes 12,179. Percentage 86.7. The usual experience at by-elec-tions is that voting is not so heavy, so some shrinkage in the votes cast can be. expected. When Mr. Bloodworth stood for Parnell in 1919 he polled 2287 votes being second in a three cornered contest. That total has not since been exceded by a Labour candidate except in 1925 when Mr. R. F. Way polled 3610 votes in a straightout contest with Mr. Dickson, who secrued 8497. How r ever, in 1914, in another straight-out contest, Mr. J. J. Sullivan (Labour) polled 4040, Mr. Dickson’s total being 5152.

MR. COATES’S SPEECH.

“GENERAL ELECTION THREAT.”

AUCKLAND, May 5.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr J. G. Coates, addressed a packed meeting in the Tudor Theatre, Remuera, to-night, when many listened to loud speakers outside. Mr Coates said that Mr Holland, the leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party, was simply playing with words when he said that the planks of the Party’s platform did not include the socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange. Writ large across the banner of the Political Labour Party were the words “Socialisation of production, distribution and exchange.” Referring to the United Party, Mr Coates said that it had failed to carry out its promises, particularly in regard to unemployment. Taking a warning from what was happening in Australia and other parts of the world, the Reform Government had recognised that it was necessary to curtail extravagant borrowing and also to curtail many of the works which were under way. A voice: You admit that you were extravagant? Mr Coates: I only admit that for every penny put into public works, there was a good and sufficient reason, that could be argued on commercial lines.

He said that the Reform Government had beep successful in bringing borrowing within reasonable imits, when a new policy of £70,000,000 took the people off their feet. Then they voted in a way which upset the whole applecart. It had been reported that he had much to say about the South Island Main Trunk Line. “I want to say here that I am in favour of it, if it can be shown to be a sound commercial proposition,” he said. “With regard to the Midland Line it is different. The Reform Party says that there - should be a halt! The country in that region was badly stricken by a recent severe earth movement. We hope it has settled down, but anyone who has been over the route will realise the shaking it has had. We say that there should be a halt of a few years before setting out to spend £1,000,000 or £1,500,000 on the line through the Buller Gorge.

“There is only one candidate to support on Wednesday,” said Mr Coates. “It is no use talking about a general election as a threat. If it comes to a general election, we will be into that election for all we are worth. The Reform Party is not down and outgas some would have you believe. Both inside the House and in the country the Reform Party is still a dominant Party, and it is still a force to be reckoned with. The political situation to-day is very difficult. We have government without responsibility. One Party is in office, but another Party is dominating it. The real question is whether this electorate wants that state of affairs to continue.” Votes of thanks and confidence were passed in Mi- Coates, Mr Endean and the Reform Party.

SMALL HOLDINGS.

[SPECIAL TO “STAR.”]

AUCKLAND, May 6.

In the course of an enthusiastic meeting last night, in support of the Reform candidate, Mr Coates said that among the Reform Governments projects was that for settling people on small holdings. Such scheme would do much to relieve the unemployment situation in towns. A, voice: Why didn’t you do it when in power? You had long enough. Mr Coates: We told you all about it at the general election, but you preferred the £70,000,000. You swallowed them whole (applause and laughter).