INTEREST IN FEILDING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 3, 3 December 1931, Page 5

INTEREST IN FEILDING.

MR COBBE UNOPPOSED. MINISTER ADDRESSES GATHERING. Deprived of the excitement of a local battle for representation in Parliament through the unopposed return of Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Defence and Justice, as the member for Oroua, Feilding residents last night nevertheless followed with keen interest the ebb and flow of the fortunes of candidates in other electorates, particularly that of the neighbouring ones, Palmerston, Manawatu and Rangitikei. As was to be expected, conjectures of a wide and varied nature were rampant as to the final returns from some of the electorates, the progress reports showing such seats as that of Sir Charles Statham, Speaker of the House, and several other members, to be in jeopardy. Although the opinion had been expressed by some politically well-informed local residents that the Mid-Canterbury seat held by Hon. D. Jones was in danger, the defeat of this veteran Parliamentarian came none the less as a great surprise to the majority. However, the final returns from practically all the electorates which showed signs of changing over to the Opposition interests cleared up any anxiety and also doubts as to the majority which the Coalition Government would enjoy.

Tlie victories of Messrs J. A. Nash and J. Linklater were quite expected and Reformers were also pleased to witness the return of Mr A. Stuart, the Reform candidate for Rangitikei.

Hon. J. G. Cobbe addressed the gathering in front of the election board in Kimboiton Road and returned thanks for his unopposed return. Referring to the state of the parties, the speaker said the Government would have a substantial majority to

work with. Its one aim was to get down to real business in order to meet the difficult times. He reminded them of the big fall in revenue and the pressing problems that faced the country. The Government had to do its utmost to see that the farming community, on whose progress the prospeiv ity of the Dominion rested, were protected and helped in every way. Mr Cobbe also addressed the audience in tlie local picture theatre, a large gathering here having interestedly watched the screening of tlie results.

THE PALMERSTON SEAT. ANALYSIS OF VOTING. POLLING BOOTH DETAILS. Tli© final figures of tli© official count last evening disclosed that Mr J. A. Nash, the Coalition candidate for the Palmerston seat, had a majority of 1018 over Mr J. Hodgens, the Labour aspirant for Parliamentary honours in this constituency. The total number of valid votes cast was 11,010, and there were 59 informal votes recorded. Out of 14,017 electors on the roll, a total of 11,069 exercised their franchise. Details of the voting at the various booths are as follow:

MANAWATU SEAT,

DETAILS OF THE POLLING. Details of the polling in the Manawatu electorate are as follow:

Nash. Hodgens Empire Hall Oddfellows’ Hall .... Terrae4 End College St. East — . 2096 . 1019 . 664 . 349 . 336 1601 1066 504 272 317 Boys’ High School . 643 182 365 152 . 138 86 27 125 993 268 . 112 123 49 13 Kelvin Grove 36 58 25 41 29 20 Fitzherbert 53 v 13 Totals . 6014 499&

Booth Linklater Hunter* Awahuri (the hall) ... 155 37 Awahuri (Kauwhata factory) 98 12 Awahuri Road 118 32 Bainesse 48 15 Bulls 417 131 Bunnythorpe Carnarvon 71 22 Foxton (principal) ... 429 474 Glen Oroua 89 36 Greatford 74 31 Kairanga 139 . 6 JCoputaroa 59 26 Levin 821 470 Linton 81 56 Makerua 21 6 Makowhai 64 i 11 Manawatu Heads 21 19 Marotiri 21 12 Moutoa 33 13 Newbury 101 21 Oroua Downs 138 19 Parewanui . 82 13 Poroutawhao 51 17 R angiotu 129 25 Rongotea 315 70 Sanson 164 92 Shannon 312 415 Taikorea 65 27 Taonui 42 18 Tiakitahuna 96 12 Tiritea 40 5 Tokomara — 138 143