THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1705, 20 December 1919, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

LABOUR'S VOTE,

interesting comparisons

6no of the features of tho lato election Was tho' very large Labour vote, which wushu- heavier than has over before been re corded (says the Post). This was due to tlie fact that the number of Labour candi dates standing for election was groat. There were about 60 altogether, counting the independents, as against twenty in tin 1914 elections. Tho total Labour vote? polled in 1914 was 53,427; on Wednesday it was approximately 144,915. A ready method of making g comparison is to present tho total Labour votes ii 1914 and in those electorates which Labour contested on both occasions. They are:

It has always to be remembered in comparing results' that nearly all the electoral district boundaries have been changed; but the effect is probablv not large over a number of electorates. This group totals 63,421 votes for 1914, and 64,464 for 1919. Among tho more notable features of tho table are tho very large increases in Auckland Cen tral, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Christchurch South, and Avon. Equally notable, and perhaps even more interesting, are the “silimps”.not indicated in Parnell and Lyttelton. In Parnell. Labour appears to have lost votes to both the Reform candi date (Mr Dickson) and the Liberal candi date (Mrs Baumo). In Lyttelton, however, tho unsuccessful Reform candidate secured about the same number of votes on each occasion, and Mr McCombs’s deficit is very closely paralleled by the votes tliat went to the two Liberal candidates. TWO ISLANDS COMPARED.

There are 32 seats in the South Island and 48 in the North. The North Island returned 32 Reformers, 9 Liberals, 4 Official Labour, and 3 Independent and Independent Labour. The South Island analysis is: Reform 16, Liberals 10, Official Labour 4, Independent and Independent Labour 2. In percentages (omitting fractions) the figures are: North Island: Reform 66, Liberal 18, Labour 8, Independent and Independent Labour 6. South Island: Reform 50. Liberal 31, Labour 12, Independent and liiilxmr Independent 6. In 1914 the North Island had 45 seats and the South 35; and, after the election, the state of parties was:—North Island: Reform 28, Liberal 14, Labour 1, Independent Labour. 2. South Island:- Reform 13, Liberal 19, Labour 3. In percentages the figures were:—North Island : Reform 62, Liberal 31, Labour 2, Independent Labour 4. South Island: Reform 37, Liberal 54, Labour 8.

Among tho hundreds of congratulatory messages received by Mr Massey f is one from Mr W. M. Hughes, tho Australian Prime Jlinister: “ Ifeartiest congratulations on your splendid victory.” A typical telegram from a New Zealand friend is as follows:.—“ Bravo, skipper. Thanks' to your skilful navigation the old ship has again reached port .safely. Let tho bo-sun forthwith pipe tho watch below.” During the election," Mr E. Newman, M.P., was asked where standardised boots could be procured, and promised to write to the Government and get the information desired and publish tho same. In reply. Mr Massey has informed Mr Newman that most of the large manufacturers in Now Zealand; are now applying for licenses to manufacture these boots. Tho Board of Trade expects the footwear to be'available for sale to the public about the ond of January-

AMENDED RETURNS. HURUNUI.

1914. 1919. Eden .. 1682 1538 Auckland Central .. 1761 3673 Grey Lynn .. 2933 3355 Parnell .. 4040 2199 Rag Ur. .. 96 . 1871 Wanganui .. 3330 6413 Palmerston .. 1735 3488 Otaki .. 2384 1546 Wellington North .. 1688 2144 Wellington East .. 4014 3261 Wellington South .. 4279 3313 Wellington Suburbs . .. 2256 3053 Puller and Grey .. 4212 5946 Christchurch East . 2203 3335 Christchurch South . 2174 4951 Avon . 2569 5004 Lyttelton . 4276 2939 Dunedin Central ; . 3732 4099 Dunedin North . 4073 3766

G. W. -Forbes (L.) ... ... 2913 G. Armstrong (II.) ... 2247 Q. Gardner (1.) ... 347 WALLACE. Hamilton (G.) ... 2779 Thomson (0.) : 2743 There are still 150 votes to be counted find 123 absent permits issued. EANGITIKE1. Glenn (G.) ... 2674 Brady (Lab.) ... 2158 Meldrum (0.) ... 1635 Glenn s majority 636.