Labour Defeat Cannot Be Explained Away

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 257, 30 October 1944, Page 4

Labour Defeat Cannot Be Explained Away

MR. HOLLAND’S COMMENT ON BY-ELECTION (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 29. * ‘ The defeat of Labour at the Awarua by-election is too overwhelming to be explained away by the Government," the leader of the Opposition (Mr. S. G. Holland) said to-night. The electorate judged most decisively between the Government’s past administration and promises for the future and the policy of the National Party. By a sweeping majority the programme of the National Party was endorsed." There was much to he learned from this by-election, said Mr. Holland. Awarua was a very mixed electorate and included a large fishing, waterfront, freezing and industrial elements, especially at Bluff and Stewart Island and the suburbs of Invercargill, and also many small farms in the rural areas.

On the poll so far recorded of 2300 below that of the 1938 general election the National candidate had raised the majority of 660 into a majority of 2101, the percentage of votes cast rising from 53 per cent, to 62 per cent. While Labour had a majority at eight booths iu 1938 it secured a majority at only three booths on Saturday and those booths recorded a swing away from Labour, the percentage of votes for the Government of 47 having dropped to just over 33.

In the past the Labour Party had allowed several by-elections to go by default, but on this occasion it made no secret of its confidence in winning Awarua and so checking the remarkable progress in other parts of the National Party. The Government had a capable candidate and as he was supported by all front-line speakers, including the Prime Minister and Hon. W. Nash, in evory part of the electorate it could have no excuses this time.

Speaking during the campaign the Prime Minister urged the electors of Awarua to think and to study Labour’s promises for the postwar years and then to decide if that was the type of Government they wanted. The people gave their answer in terms that cannot be misunderstood by anyone, for the National candidate and our speakers discussed our plans for the future. 4 ‘ While we are naturally pleased with the result the National Party will not be carried away by this latest vote of confidence. It will give us encouragement to work harder than ever in our preparations for the task of government in 1946, if not sooner. Mr. George Herron, the new member for Awarua, will be a valuable addition to the strength of the Opposition and we will now be able to register our full voting strength of 34 for the first time. ’ ’