LEADER’S COMMENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 260, 1 October 1936, Page 4

LEADER’S COMMENTS.

PRIAIE MINISTER’S SATISFACTION. AIR FORBES CRITICAL. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON. Sept. 30. “If tbe result of the Alanukau byelection is not a clear and emphatic endorsement of the Labour Government’s policy, and the practice of it since assuming office, then I am no judge of the political feeling of this country.” said tbe Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. AI. J. Savage), to-night. “Tbe figures tell their own story. .There were fewer votes against the Labour candidate on this occasion than against Air Jordan at tbe General Election. If any person likes to look on such a result as a hollow victory then he is welcome to such rejoicing.” Air Savage said that tbe interest taken appeared to be outstanding in view of the fact that a by-election had never aroused such interest as tbe General Election, and said that it should not be overlooked that the successful candidate was making his first appearance in tbe electorate although he had proved himself an able campaigner in another Auckland electorate. Moreover, Air Osborne had followed Mr Jordan, who was one ».i the oldest, most skilful and best liked members of the Labour Party in Hie Do; minion, which emphasised the appeal of Air Jordan and the Labour Party in the district. MR FORBES'S ANALYSIS. “The poll provides evidence that the electors of Manukau have some misgivings as to the wisdom of the Government’s policy,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes). The result was a foregone conclusion, added Air Forbes. An examination of tbe figures recorded at the General Election last year wa.s interesting as they showed that Labour had then received 9345 votes. There were then two candidates opposed to the National Government, and the poll against that Government was 10,565. At the by-election the vote against the National Party was 8241, apart from absentee votes to come. The National Party had. therefore, received an increase of nearly 900 votes over the vote in 1935. “It is true that the Labour Party has elected its candidate,” said Air Forbes, “but it is also evident that the support of Labour in one of its strongholds has been shaken in spite oi the almost frenzied appeals from the Prime Minister, his party and tbe Labour Press for a. majority greater fill an Air Jordan’s. The electors of Alanukau have not yet had time to feel the full effect of the Governments measures in increasing the cost of living and in restricting personal liberty.”