THE ELECTION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 4, 4 December 1931, Page 7

THE ELECTION

SEATS STILL IN BALANCE. REVIEW OF RESULTS. ANALYSIS OF VOTING. Though the figures already published in connection with the' general election are unlikely to undergo any material change, there is still uncertainty in some seats, notably Rotorua, where the majorities of the present leaders of the polls are less than the numbers of absentee and postal votes yet to be taken into account. Hon. D. Jones is 91 votes behind Mr J. Connolly in Mid-Canterbury, but there are still 598 votes to be allotted. In Rotorua, Mr C. H. Clinkard ttands at the head of the poll with the barest majority of all—eight votes —and there are still 574 votes to be taken into aocount. There are other seats in a similar position though the voting is not so close. The seats, with the leaders’ pregent majorities, and the number of votes still to come in parentheses, • are es follow:—Rangitikei, Mr A. Stuart 114 (167); Roskill, Mr Richards 173 (666) ; Thames, Mr Samuel 385 (525); Waipawa, Mr Jull 372 (403) ; Wellington East, Mr Semple 688 ( 858); Chalmers, Mr Ansell 183 (555) ■ din Central, Sir Charles Statham 91 (623); Dunedin North, Mr Munro 590 (722); Gisborne, Mr Coleman 234 (583) ; Invercargill, Mr Hargest 350 (1048); Lyttelton, Mr. McCombs 105 (584) Nelson, Mr Atmore 78 (550). The first step in checking the results of the election was taken yesterday, when returning officers started upon the scrutiny of the rolls. The official count of the ballot papers will be carried out as soon as the rolls have been scrutinised, and then absentee, postal, and seamen’s votes are allocated. iSva or three days will be required to complete the whole of this work, so that it might not be until early next week before the issue is finally decided in some electorates.

The largest majority secured by any of the 187 candidates was that of Mr W. P. Endean, who was re-elected as the Coalition Reform member for Parnell by the substantial margin of 4562 votes. He polled a total of 6963 votes, his two opponents securing an aggregate of 3751. Another feature of the contest for this seat was the fact that the Labour candidate made no headway compared with the total cast for the Labour man at the by-election in 1930.

Mr Endean was run very close for the record majority by Mr M. J. Savage, Labour candidate for Auckland West, who led the next man on the poll by 4286 votes. Fourteen candidates received majorities of over 3000, and of these three were Ministers of the Crown. The following are among the largest majorities secured:—Mr W. E. Parry, Auckland Central, 3561; Mr D. G. Sullivan, Avon, 3007 ; Mr H. E. Holland, Buller, 3309; Mr H. T. Armstrong, Christchurch East, 3286; Mr F. Joines, Dunedin South, 3515; Mr J. A. Lee, Grey Lynn, 3179; Mr W. J. Jordan, Manukau, 3082; Mr S. G. Smith, New Plymouth, 3277; Mr H. G. Dickie, Patea, 3234.

Members of the Ministry polled exceptionally well in practically every instance. The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W T . Forbes, received a majority of 3902 in Hurunui. His margin was almost identical with that secured by the Minister of Native Affairs, Sir Apirana. Ngata, who led his opponent by 3830, according to the amended count, at the Maori elections on Tuesday. The Minister of Healthy Hon. J. A. Young, came next with a majority of 3072 in Hamilton.

The Minister of Public Works, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, had a majority of 2013 in Kaipara, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. A. Hamilton, led by 2597 in Wallace. The Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Downie Stewart, had to fight a three-cornered contest in Dunedin. West, and his majority was 720. The only Minister to suffer seriously was Hon. D. Jones. An interesting sidelight on the voting is provided by a comparison of the votes cast for many European candidates and the total upon which Mr T. Makitanara has gained a seat in Parliament for Southern Maori. Mr I'hide an, for instance, has been returned to Parliament by supporters totalling almost 7000. Mr Makitanara, on the other hand, required only 335 votes to become a member. In 1928 he was sent to Parliament on the strength or 199 votes cast in his favour,- and he had to rely on the casting vote of the returning officer to win his seat. A CLEAR MANDATE. OPINION OF MR COATES. DARGAVILLE, Dec. 3. Reviewing the election results, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates agreed that the actual position of the parties had shown some change, but said the relative numerical strength of supporters and opponents of the Coalition Government had not materially altered. , ... “The main feature of the constitution of the new Parliament, _ he said, “is that the electors have given the Government clear authority to carry out its policy, of rehabilitation balancing th€ public accounts, bringing about stability of economic conditions, assisting in a revival of trade and solving the problems of unemployment by placing as far as possible out-of-work men into productive industries. Grave difficulties still remain ahead of the Government, as the conditions are changing almost from day to day, and the future is most obscure. .(Nevertheless, by prudent administration and strict economies, the country will come out of the present severe depression satisfactorily, but how soon that mav be cannot be foreseen. “Much must depend upon the determination of the people to maintain their country’s credit, even to the -- tent of bearing heavy burdens. A those entrusted with the administration of ihe Dominion’s affairs hope an occasion will not arise to necessitate further economies on a large scale, o. any increase of taxation, which alre y is a heavy drag on internal trade and industry,'but should either be necessary the Coalition Government wid certainly maintain its policy, of q - ity of sacrifice. Every effort will be directed to alleviate the hardships o those of our citizens who have, through no fault of their own, suffered privations inseparable from the wide p keep the farmer on the land bv removing his disabihties anc assisting others to become producers, because it is upon the va tr i es turns from the primary ““ üß g™® mainly that the future of New land must depend. •___ “Now that the -electors have given the Government clear authority, confidence in banking, commercial, and trading circles may be looked f , this in turn should favourably every section of the commitnii • eLction has been unique inasmuch as the electors have given the Govern

ment a free hand to carry out its poly, winch involved no promises being given. This is most gratifying as it traffion* 8 confidence in the Adminis-

. jjf l€re ? re hopeful prospects that mort.ly. ai * impetus may be given to the Dominion s export trade bv the opening of wider fields for the sale of our products overseas. The recent British elections encourage an optimistic outlook tor reciprocal trade arrangements being made that will enlarge the scope tor the sale of our primary products on the Home markets under more favourable conditions. The reopening of trade with Canada will in all probability eventuate from negotiations now reaching the stage of a conference between Ministers of the sister Dominions. ”

NECESSITY FOR STRONG GOVERNMENT.

MR W. POLSON’S COMMENT.

Per Press Association. , r ™ „ , STRATFORD, Dec. 4. , • .Poison, member for Stratford and Dominion president of the Farmers Union, commenting on the election, said:—

While the Coalition victory is substantial, it must be remembered that j r ?T ,S vote between Reform and United occurred Labour succeeded in winning the seat in several instances. In view of the increased Labour vote in the cities the folly of such a split must be obvious, and the necessity for the Coalition clearly established m the minds of all people of moderate opinion. No one who has the interests of liis country at heart can doubt the wisdom of two Government parties in getting together. A proposal lias been made that these two parties while working together should retain separate identities. I hope the public will refuse to tolerate anything of the kind. In the critical times ahead we need a strong, unanimous Government, and I feel that we have reached a point when all party considerations should be scrapped and the two sections of the Government group, which are already agreed on fundamentals, should decide to become in thought as well as in action one party —the party which is definitely opposed to Socialism and its teachings.”

BLANK CHEQUE GIVEN

“PEOPLE NOW’ WANT ACTION.”

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 4

In an interview to-day, Mr C. M. Bowden, chairman of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, said that the Coalition Government had practically asked the electors to give them a free hand. They had been given it and the people now expected decisive and practical action. The chambers of commerce would stand behind any endeavour of the Government to reduce rigidly the high costs with which New Zealand was burdened. Commercial men and men on the farms were calling for action. The people had given the Government a “blank cheque” and it was for the Government to fill it in. Mr Bowden said the Government should immediately appoint a national economy commission with instructions to prepare an adequate plan for adjusting national and local requirements to the ability of the country to provide the means.

LOST THEIR DEPOSITS

TWENTY-SIX CANDIDATES

Twenty-six candidates who failed to poll more than one-fourth of the number of votes received by the successful candidate will forfeit their deposit of £lO. This number includes five Maori candidates. On the provisional count the following will forfeit their.. deposits : —J. Edwards (Communist), Auckland Central; J. A. Arthur (I.), Auckland East; W. C. Hewitt (I.), Parnell; W. H. Murray (U.), F. N. Bartram (1.L.), Grey Lvnn; R. Glover-Clark (R*), V. H. Potter (I.). Eden; J. H. Edwards (1.L.), Franklin; C. Lafferty (I.), Hamilton; A. H. Vile (I.), Masterton; E. W. Nicolaus (I.), R. F. Griffin (Communist), Wellington Central; K. McLennan (I.), Wellington Suburbs; W. L. Page (I.), Lyttelton; R. W. Wightman (I.), H. Hunter (L.) MidCanterbury; H. W. Hall (TJ.), Timarlu; T. Scollay (I.). Chalmers; J. McDonald (Lib.), Dunedin West; Whautrewi Witehira, Northern Maori; R. Whakarua (1.R.), P. T. Eketone, H. H. Pialiama, T. Takirihi (1.U.), Western Maori Two candidates who retired after nomination, J. Vigor Brown (I.), Napier, and R. S. Black (1.C.U.), Dunedin North, will also forfeit tlieir deposits.