Labour's Election Success

Maoriland Worker, Volume 12, Issue 303, 20 December 1922, Page 9

Labour's Election Success

"Keqnpg. the Boilers Warm ,,

■ T&e National Executive of the New STealand Labour Party has banded the following statement to the press: — "Tiia splendid success achieved by th.3 Labour Party at the elections just concluded bears a full , relationship to the movement for the emancipation of the workers" throughout the whole .world. All thinking people are satisfied that the present system of production and distribution lias failed, and in spite of the efforts of interested parties to obscure the issue, the people are gradually corning" to the ■conclusion, that the only hope for the future, is with the- Labour Movement. The principle enunciated In the Labour Party's manifesto. '|that a first charge on Wealth created shall be thecare of the aged, the young, the ailing, and all those engaged in the pro- . duction of essential utilities,' has appealed and is appealing to a larger circle every day. Undoubtedly the . prfmo. cause 'of Labour's advance is the desire of the people for a more reasonable social system. Capitalism lias failed to 'deliver the goods, , and the hope of the future is contained ivitMu the principles expounded by Labour. l?Sip!fallS[ tally LUiCII i/ilts^ "Whilst the determination to strive for a better order may be the foundation principle of the large Labour vote, there are several more immediate an* lac3.t causes. , The effort to brand aX the Labour candidates as disloyalists was resented by many returned soltEiers, and also by the-mothers of the men who fought during the late war. TMs was particularly noticeable ia the iV/e'iington contests. The cry of 'confiscation" used by the press and Reform organisations, whilst gaining a few votes from unthinking people was, in the ultimate, resented by the electors as an insult to their intelligence. : -Vicious' Class Legislation ■ '-The policy of the Government In red•α-r.ins wages to a point which threatens the standard of living of the workers, whilst at the same time making large rebates of- taastiou to various corporations on profits already made, lias undoubtedly turned many •rotes to Labour. Not only have large rebates been made to wealthy corporations, but also the Reform Party in their publications issued to .candidates | and organisers 'for personal use.only'| boasted of the amount of. concessions : made to persons with large incomes. In. addition to this, the scandal of the insurance profits lias opened the eyes | Of many electors. j "The failure of the Government to j tackle the housing problem and the decision made on the eve of the election to close the Housing Department lias undoubtedly had its effect, j ■ Hopeful Figures '•'The most significant fact in conaection with the electors is that Labour polled a substantial majority in "the electorates where the party candidates were standing, the figures ingLabour , 130.0-15 •Reform 113,329 ■Liberal -- 40,414 /■ Independent 40,766 Uieployment ■ mi .Education "Tae problem of unemployment iv New Zealand, one of the richest countries in natural wealth in the world, and the sight of people ' waiting in 'Queues for food creates resentment in all people with any vision, at all, and the policy of the Government in spending- half a million pounds In bringing men from overseas, which has aggravated the unemployment crisis has also been responsible for many LabOTir votes. Economists and social reformers .throughout the world have recognised that an extension of education facilities is of fundamental Importance. The individual members of the Government admit this, yet, cm the ieve of the. election, they sent a circular round to the Education Boards reducing the maintenance grant by 10 per cent. Stupid Rulers and War "The attitude of the Labour niemjbers on the Near East crisis has met .wiith. approval at all meetings,-and'the 'Striking confirmation given to their opposition to war by subsequent-; teVents has convinced many people as" to the knowledge and foresight of*The labour group in the last Parliament. J&m inspiring , success of Ikfc British

STATEMENT BY NATIONAL EXECUTIVE

[ Labour Party was due to the declarai tioa of a like policy to that of the New Zealand Labour Party. I.iOrd Loreburn, writing on the Near East crisis, 'said:— . . -,v "Our recent danger in the Bosphorus and Dardanelles will, I trust, bring to public notice the risks we run in keeping our policy and aims secret. No help will come from the gentlemen who still call themselves Liberal leaders. They began this system of secrecy, without which the war of 1914 woud never have come, and if the electors are unwise enough to give them what they want, namely, power to manage our affairs again, we may be ushered into war again at a few hours' notice. Nothing can be more encouraging than the resolute attitude which has been taken up by the spokesmen of Labour. Let the electors take up the same attitude, a refusal to tolerate more wars because oC the stupidity of our rulers, and we may take our stand as leaders of the new crusade against the wickedness and lolly of war. There can be no doubt that the firm stand taken by Labour Iras saved us from a ruinous and interminable war." "The Labour candidates throughout the election campaign have consistently opposed the committal of New Zealand to war without the people having the full facts at their disposal. The Future is Labour's "Within the Labour Movement itself, the greatest inspiration comes the knowledge that the workers have closed their ranks. They now realise that only members of Parliament responsible to the people who render service will pass laws in accord with equity and justice; and in so far as they have realised this, the movement has gone forward. The task of the clay is over. To-morrow the Journey continues!. We are keeping the boilers warm. The men on the waterfront, in the mine, the workshop, and tlie office are the hope of the world. The future is with the child. The future of the child is in the hands of the doctors and teachers. When the men and women who work with their hands anci brain realise the iniquity of any man, woman, or child going short of the essentials of life in a land of plenty—in that day the parasite will so, and ""A loftier race than e'er the world hath known shall ris« Willi flame of freedom in their souls And light o t knowledge in their eyes." The Labour Vote The Labour vote in the seats contested in 1922 increased by 28,362 as compared with 1919, the largest increase being in Auckland East, where Mr. Lee polled 3,206 more than in l-ilO. At Grey Lynn, Mr. Bartram, the Labour -member, made a tremendous advance, his figuress howing an increase of 2,342. Manukau showed an increase of 2236. Increases of over 1000.were recorded at Timaru, Lyttelton, Mount Eden, Auckland West, Wellington North, Wellington South, Wellington Suburbs and Chalmers. The Labour vote was less at Christchurch North (1104), Christchurch Avon (1502), and Hawfce's Bay, where Mr. Chapman entered the field very The total decrease was 6759, and the nett increase in 37 seats was 21,603. Labour in 1919 and 1922 Number of stats contested . 1022, which were contested in. 1919 -. 37 Votes recorded in 37 seats, 1919 ' 109,702 Votes recorded in 37 seats, 1022 - 131,305 . Increase 21,603 Full votes recorded for 54 seats in 1919 _ ..... 135;740 Full votes recorded for 40 seats in 1922 139,045 3,305 Add votes polled in 1919 for seats, not contested in 1922 21,049 24,354 Increase per cent. 18 This return applies to Official Candidates only. ABSOLUTE MAJORITY JMLEMBEBS. REFORM „ .... 26 GLABOUR - 11 - ■LIBERAL; „....'.. 9 INDEPiSNDBNT _.~J...l 6

MINORITY REPRESENTATIVES REFORM- .1.... 9 LABOUR ;....: ALL.I.I. 6 ÜBERAL 6 INDEPENDENT, .... -3 The Record Votes FOUR LABOUR CANDIDATES polled the Record Votes for the Dominion, Auckland West—M. J. SAVAGE . 5,764 Grey Lynn—F. N. BARTRAM .. 5,483 Chch. South—E. J. HOWARD .. 5,443 Wgtn. Central—P. FRASER .... 5,472 Other large polls were: — W. F. MASSEY 5,167 W. DOWNIE STEWART 5,213 H. ATMORE 5,038 . Three-cornered Fights Whilst there, were many electorates in which three or more candidates were competng for votes, it is probable that in two cayes only did the splitting of votes affect the result. In the Waikato and, Patea Electorates two Reform candidates stood against one Liberal. In each case the Liberal won by a small majority. There are many other minority members, not- • ably at Invercargill, Avon, Riccarton, Westland, Wellington East, Wellington North", Hutt, Waimarino, Masterton, Napier, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, Eden and Waitemata; but it is not possible to estimate the result of a straight-out contest in these electorates. Many factors have to be taken into account. In Christchurch North Mr. Isitt is short of an absolute majority by one vote, and at Maniikau, 'Mr. Jordan, the Labour member, is in a minority of six only.