Both Refer To Fair Fight

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1949, Page 4

Both Refer To Fair Fight

KAIKOHE, Thu. (Sp.).- “It is a thru, lor sober thought and not for extreme jubilation,” said Mr S. W. Smith (M'.P. for Hobson) in a telephone interview with the Northern Advocate this morning. ”1 cannot add much to what the two leaders said last night. I thought both were excellent. "Of Mr Fraser, I should like to use the words of Churchill—that was his finest hour. He took it ou the chin, and spoke like a man. “I endorse every word ‘S.G.’ said. He was perfectly right to view it as a time for thinking things over quietly.

“We have to consider the pledges we have given, and the manner of putting them into effect. “The chief must now set about collecting the team with which he can best work and which is also best suited to the job. The trouble for him obviously will be whom to leave out.” When Mr Smith arrived home at 11 o’clock last night after having received congratulations from supporters and party organisers in Kaikohe he was greeted by a group o enthusiastic friends at his house. This morning the telephone started at 6 a.m. and has been going steadily all morning.

FREE OF PERSONALITIES. Through station IXN both Mr Smith and Mr Lane spoke from Kaikohe courthouse over the air last evening. Mr Smith thanked his supporters and the people of Hobson for his large majority. He also thanked Mr Lane for the fact that the election had been conducted free of personalities. The people of the district had spoken and had endorsed his record over the past six years, also the policy of the National Party which could be summarised as “less government in business and more business in government.”

By telephone from Opua this morning Mr Lane told the Northern Advocate that he considered the landslide away from Labour had come from the people themselves. “That is our democratic way, and it is the one we want to maintain.” He congratulated Mr Smith on the keen fight and the absence of personalities, and pointed out the very large amount of work yet to be done for Northland. OFFERS COOPERATION.

First of these was the re-opening of Opua port, second was the export of our produce, third was the need for fertiliser works, fourth vas the urgent necessity for development of the district’s enormous u; use areas.

“I hope the incoming Government will deal with these matters on a plane of urgency,’’ he said. “I will offer my full cooperation, wherever it may serve, to the local representative in bringing these about.”

Over Radio Northland last night, Mr Lane formally congratulated Mr Smith on his victory and on the clean fight he had made. He thanked his many helpers and supporters and went on to mention Northland’s ’evelopmental needs.