GENERAL ELECTION

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 286, 6 November 1925, Page 8

GENERAL ELECTION

ROTORUA FINAL FIGURES Per Press Association. ROTORUA, Nov. 5. The final returns for the Rotorua election are as follow ;• — *F. F. Hockly (R.) 4088 C. H. Clinkard (N.) 1501 J. W. Stunner (Lab.) 1038 F. Colbeek (C.) 196 Majority for Hockly 2587 OROUA ELECTORATE. STEADY POLLING, (Front Otir Own Correspondent.) Polling at all tbe booths in the Oi’oua , electorate was steady all day and with the pricking of. the card, many opined that Mr Eliott would top the poll. It was admitted that lie would lie behind in tho town of Feeding, but that tbe country would stand to him. When the figures came to hand from the town booths showing Colibe with a lead of 380, Reform supporters were n bit anxious. History, however, repeated itself and, when the country returns began to come in, Reformers realised that the man on the land was standing to the Reform banner, and it was not long before Eliott wits announced in the load. There were one or two slight set-backs, btit tile gain was steudy and soon the returning officer announced that, with nbsflnt voters still to be counted and one small return to come in, Eliott was in the lead by 450 votes. Mr Harding bad his team of deputies well iii hand and the returns came in promptly; and by 8 p.m. there were only some outlying returns to come in, and the issue was practically decided. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie was in attendance at the Reform, headquarters, taking a keen interest in tile results, and Was the first to congratulate the new M.P. for Orona.

Speaking later, Mr Eliott said ho was proud Oroua was still strong for Reform, and the indications there were that All* Coates was going hack to .Parliament with a majority. He wished to pay public tribute to Air Taylor, who offered to abandon his meetings when it was imperative for family reasons for the speaker to bo in Wellington. It was a sporting offer he much appreciated. Air Taylor thanked all who had worked for him. He realised he was up against the biggest Tory stronghold in New Zealand, lint lie was coming back.

• Air Cobbe, speaking with evident emotion, siiicl he had gone to defeat for tho last time. Ho had tried to go with his flag flying find offered liis congratulations to the successful candidate. He thanked those who had placed him ahead in his own homo town.

CASTING A VOTE. SOAIF. FUNNY REASONS. Although voting is by ballot, still anyone wandering round the polling booths will hear some strange reasons given for the way they are cast (says the Auckland Star). One voter on Wednesday was strong for Reform and made no secret of it. “1 have never seen the Reform candidate,” ho said, “but of course I always vote for my party.” A friend said that he understood that the opposition candidate was a very good man. “That is so,” replied tho voter; “in fact, he is better than tho man I am going to vote for, but one must stick to his party, you know.” Another man was heard mourning that days of good old Dick Heddon was gone by. “Now,” he said, “Dick was a man, and a white one at that. What can a good Liberal do when he has only a Reform or a Labour candidate to choose between P” Two working men were standing outside a booth when a friend said; “Well, 1 suppose you will get your Government in?” One replied: “If you mean a Labour Government, lot me tell you that Bill and I have both got houses of our own, and we want to retain the right to sell them for as big a price as we can get to any man who wishes to buy.” Here is support for a prediction of Air R. J. Heddon. (ill one occasion he had been introduced to a strong Conservative, who on leaving said, with a smile: “Well, Mr Sedclon, you know I hate your politics, but I must Bay 1 like you.” Mr Heddon replied: “Yet I am the best friend of you Conservatives, for my aim is for every working man to own his house, and I know quite well that as soon as he does he will vote for your side of politics.”