VICTORY FOR REFORM

Hawera Star, Volume L, 8 May 1930, Page 5

VICTORY FOR REFORM

PARNELL BY-ELECTION

MR ENDEAN’S GOOD MAJORITY LABOUR LAST. (Bj Leiegiaph—Presa Association.) AUCKLAND, May 7. The by-election for the Parnell seat, which was rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. H. R. Jenkins (Government); was held to-day. The final figures are: W. P. Endean (Reform) ... 4607 W. A. Donald (Government) 3122 T. Blood worth (Labour) 2065 Majority for Endean 1485 There are 256 absent votes, 143 postal votes and three- seamen’s votes yet to count. The figures for the seat at the general election in November, 1928, were: H. R. Jenkins (U.) 5642 J. S. Dickson (R.) 4793 A. W. Yarnall (L.) 1661

Mr. Endean is a native of the Auckland province, and is about 46 years of age. He is a son of the late Mr. John Endean, a well-known Thames and Auckland resident. Mr. Endean was educated at the Auckland Grammar School and. later gained his LL.B. degree at the Auckland University College. He commenced practice as a barrister and solicitor in Auckland about 21 years age. For a time he practised on his own account,- but in 1910 he and Mi-. J. A. Holloway joined in partnership, from which Mr. Endean retired about six months ago.

Tn sporting circles Mr. Endean is widely known, particularly in the yachting world. For the past two years he has been commodore of the Royal New Zealand* Yacht Squadron, and he has played an important part in ensuring tne success of the annual Anniversary Day regatta, having been recently chairman of the regatta- committee. During the war Mr. Endean joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and saw service- in European waters. He has never previously sought political honours, hut he is known as a capable speaker and a successful member of the profession from

which he has recently retired.

STATE OF THE PARTIES. As a result of yesterday’s election the Reform Party has 29 members in the House of Representatives, this number representing a majority of three over any other party in Parliament. No party has an absolute majority. After the general election in 1928 the United Party had 28 members, the same number as the Reform Party. Since then Mr. T. W. Wilford has resigned his seat, which was won by Mr. W. Nash, who brought the Labour strength up to 20. The resignation of Mr. H. R. Jenkins further depleted the United Party’s membership, and with the return of the Reform Party’s candidate (Mr. W. P. Endean) his successor in Parnell, the present state of the parties is as follows : Reform 29 United ...: , 26 Labour 20 Country 1 Independent 4 Total 80 The members classed as Independents in the above table are the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Sir Charles Statham), Mr. C- A. Wilkinson, Mr. W. J. Poison and Mr. J. T. Hogan. The last-named, however, attends United Party caucuses and has not so far voted against the Government on policy questions. Although Mr. W. J. Broadfoot and Mr. J.. Si Fletcher are included in the United Party’s strength, they have both recently shown Independent leaningis.