POLITICAL ARENA

Northern Advocate, 26 November 1928, Page 6

POLITICAL ARENA

UNITEDS■■ Mi AY RULE.

NINE PROBABLE “TURN

OVERS.”

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day,

From a well-informed source the Christchurch “Star” learns that .Sir Joseph Ward’s supporters will be materially increased immediately after the crucial division dm the Hoifse. Mr W. H. Field (Otaki) is said to make no secret of his intention to return fo his old allegiance. Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) has already made a public statement on the subject, and no f fewer than seven other Reformers are as, being., free, if fhey so desire,i’to' : supf>oft •a ■ Ward Administration.

MR FIELD’S REPLY. NO INTENTION OF GOING OVER. (Per PreSs Association. —Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day. With regard to the suggestion that Mr W. H. Field, Reform M.P. for Otaki, was likely to join the United Party, that gentleman states he was elected as a member of the Reform Party and, if he had any thought- of leaving that party, which he certainly had not, his first duty would he- to consult his constituents. ANOTHER DENIAL. 1• . . MR LYSNAR’S REPUDIATION. (Per Press Association;—Copyright.) GISBORNE, This Day. “There is nothing whatever in the statement I made! after the elections to justify the assumption that I intend to join up with the United P:arty,” said Mr W. D. Lysnar, ih reference to a Christchurch message; inferring that he, together with Mr W. H. Field and seven other members of the Reform Party, is likely to support Sir Joseph Wiard immediately after the crucial division in the House. His statement, he added, referred solely to the advisability of fusion of. the anti-Socialistic forces.

Beyond denying the inference in the Christchurch statement, Mr Lysqar refused to make comment pending a Reform caucus on Wednesday, which he is attending.

BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT,

RECOUNT OF THE VOTES,

COUNTRY PARTI 7 VIEWPOINT

(Special to “Northern Advocate.”) AUCKLAND, This 'Day.

“Although I have not -been informed officially, I am quite sure that there will be a recount of the votes cast in the- Bay of Islands electorate,”was the reply which was made to a representative of the. “Auckland "Star” by Mr A. E. Robinson, secretary of the New .’Zealand Farmers’ Union, when he was questioned concerning the election of Mr Allen ©6ll, on the casting vote of the returningofficer as against Mr H. M. Bush*; 1 worth, the Country Party candidate,: wholhad up to the last held the lead.' Asked if he had any comment to j make on the situation, Mr Robinson I replied: “ I have only to state that it I is unfortunate that a parcel of votes! should be found -after opr scrutineer i had left, and when everything was: [supposed to be settled, nine days afjter the election. The Country Party jean hardly be expected to feel satisfied.”

“What do you moan by unfortunate? Is that a complaint?” was ask- “ Nat exactly a complaint confined 0 the Bay of Islands,” said Mr Robnpon. “It applies to most electorates, si’d i even to the licensing poll. am not clear as to the postal votes inder the new system. It should not e possible for parcels of votes to go stray. If five or six vote® are astray —there does not even seem to be eerain.ty of the number, for the ‘Star’ lentions an informal vote which other apers ignore—then there appears no ertainty that other parcels of votes ave not gone astray. There should e.no doubt at all, and if the system 1 use leaves doubt it is a bad sys3ra. All postal votes should be acountablc. ’ ’ *

‘/Have you any remarks to make on lie actual recount?” the pressman iquircd. “It may show r ';hat those electors ut of the district are not fully in ouch with the political position,” Mr Epbinson^replied. “The first count of natal votes on election day gave 52 o Bell, four to and 16 to lush worth. Appai ently 304 more r otes have come in, though the num>er given as still to come was 350. ’here can hardly have been 46 infernal votes. Harnblow appears to have eeeived 54 of .these later votes, Ruslirorth 84, and Bell 166, which is a onsiderable alteration in proporions.” In con elusion, Mr Robinson remarkd that the spirit in which the opon ents of the Country Party had act(l left much to bo desired. In suport of this view he quoted from a rcular headed “Final Word,” issued Y one of the candidates. It says: Don’t bo misled into the belief that e Country Party can Wonefit this ectorate by returning aj candidate is no nse trying political expori}hts in the Bay of Islands and Hokiga portions of this olfeetorato. Kerb of a, Country Party candidate ans isolation pure and simple, the Ration of public works, lack of fineial assistance, ami the ultimate, dint ion of your co tin -try by going ik into forfi, schub and second wth, Vote LibcnalH}our or Reform,” I

) #t‘f there wqre: ' in” su(|lr i\ statements,” Mr Robinson, - “it would be quite' time we hjid another Government.” i WHERE LABOUR STANDS. ! MEASURES NOT PARTIES. ; i (Per rress Association. —Copyright.) TAUMAEUNUI, This Day. In an interview regarding the attitude the Labour Party will adopt in supporting the United Party, Mr F. Langstone, M.P., stated that the Labour Party supported measures not phi-ties and should the incoming Government be willing ito establish a State;:Ban'kiwith sole right of note issue, reduce the rates of interest, institute a vigorous; land settlement policy and deal .ws-tM\the unemployment problem, it might -be assured of Labour’s support to enact and administer these measures.

OPTIMISTIC FEELING. NEXT ELECTION IN 1931. .SIR: JOSEPH REJUVENATED. (Special to “Northern Advocate.”) AUCKLAND, This Day. Mr A. J. Stallworthy, Member for Eden, declared today that the United Conference in Wellington was a great success and in every way satisfactory. Sir Joseph Ward’s, statement was endorsed by every member present and obviously . all will stand whole-heart-edly behind Sir Joseph. No stone will be left unturned to place the iphrty’s ,policy ;on - the Statute Book. The party’s success seems to have endowed Sir Joseph Ward with renewed vigour to a surprising degree and his health is much improved. He is intensely gratified with the personel of the party.

Mt Stallworthy was particularly impressed With Mr A. W. Bodkin (Central Otago). Messrs J. B. Donald and G. C. Munns (two other Aucklanders) were also delighted with the tone of the conference and both are optimistic concerning the future of the party. The feeling at the conference was that there would not be another election till 1931.

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