SUPPORT PLEDGED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22199, 9 December 1946, Page 8

SUPPORT PLEDGED

NATIONAL PARTY LEADER GISBORNE VOTE REVIEWED A resolution expressing appreciation of the splendid efforts of the leader of the party, Mr. S. G. Holland, in the recent election campaign and assuring him of continued loyal support was carried at a meeting on Saturday evening of the executive committee of the Gisborne electorate of the National Party. In a review of the recent campaign in Gisborne, the chairman. Mr. I. J. Quigley. said he was convinced that both the organisation and the candidate, Mr. Harry Barker, had done everything that could possibly be expected. They ;were unable, however, to overcome the weight of numbers on the other side. It was worthy of comment, he said, that Gisborne had probably created a record in the number of people who voted, approximately 97 per cent of those on the roll having gone to the poll. They could derive some satisfaction too, from the fact that whereas the National vote in the electorate was only 36 per cent in 1938 and 39 per cent in 1943 it had risen to more than 43 per cent this year. Other speakers paid a tribute to the efforts of the volunteer workers in all parts of the electorate and agreed that no candidate could have fought a cleaner campaign or put more effort it than had Mr. Barker. It was reported that the day after the election the organisation was functioning as usual and it was agreed that in view of the uncertain political situation and the Government's narrow margin no efforts should be spared to maintain the organisation at the highest possible pitch.