CASTING VOTE GIVEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20111, 23 November 1928, Page 14

CASTING VOTE GIVEN.

TWO CONTESTANTS EVEN.

SOUTHERN MAORI ELECTION.

UNITED CANDIDATE SUCCESSFUL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PIIESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. The returning officer had to give his casting vote in the Southern Maori election when the official count of votes concluded to-day. By the preliminary count on the day of the election Tftiti Makitanara (United) was shown as leading E. T. Tirikateno, tho Eatana Party candidate, by one vote. At tho official count to-day they wero shown to havo exactly the same number of votes. Tho returning officer gavo his casting vote for Tuiti Makitanara, who is therefore elected. Tho official figures are:— Tuiti Makitanara (U.) . . 199 E. T. Terikatene (Ratana) 198 H. W. Uru (G.) .. .. 163 J. C. Tikao . . * » < 107 P. H. Macdonald . . ... 79 ,W. T. Pitama ». . 42 T. M. Erihana .« *.■ 33 Majority for Makitanara 1 Tho total number of votes polled was. 'B2l. There is no express provision for recounts in the law regulating the election of Maori members. The returning officer is authorised to give a casting vote and there is no law or precedent governing his exercise of that vote. But there is another aspect of the matter suggested by a further provision of the Electoral Act. It is there laid down that tho provisions of tho Ac£ in regard to elections of European members of Parliament shall apply to elections of Maori members, unless they aro inconsistent with tho provisions of tho law relating to Maori representation, in which case they shall bo read with such modifications as are necessary to meet the different circumstances of tho two elections. This provision makes possible a magisterial recount.

OTHER TIES RECALLED. TWO AT LAST ELECTION. LYTTELTON AND WESTLAND. The exercise of a returning officer's casting vote is no new thing in New Zealand political history. Thero were two instances at the last general election. Mr. M. E. Lyons, Government candidate, was declared elected in Lyttelton in preference to tho retiring Labour member, Mr. J. McCombs, both candidates having received 4900 votes at the official count. At tho same time Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon, a Nationalist candidate, secured the Westland seat through the casting vote of the returning officer. Both he and his Labftur opponent, Mr. J. O'Brien, who had previously hold tho seat, received 4176 votes at the poll. Election petitions were lodged with tho Supreme Court in both cases and as a result of tho hearings conducted before, two Supremo Court Judges, constituting an Electoral Court, the returning officer's decision was confirmed in Westland and reversed in Lyttelton. A previous instance occurred in Motueka in 1871. The candidates were Sir David Monro, who had been Speaker of tho House of Representatives for 10 years, and Mr. Charles Parker. Tho poll was taken on February 10, 1871, and both candidates received 193 votes, the returning officer giving his casting vote for tho retiring "member. It is recorded, too, that some 50 years ago thero was a tio in which Edward Wakefield, who sat for one of the Canterbury seats, was concerned. The returning officer decided in Wakefield's favour and the story hnfi it that tho decision went by the spin of the coin.

GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS NO STATEMENT BY MR. COATES RETURNS NOT YET COI^PLETE. [by tßleqiiaph.—press association.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. No statement regarding the Government's course of action was forthcoming from the Prime Minister this evening, but it is considered that as soon as the final returns are completed Mr. Coates will -state bis intentions. It is generally believed that a meeting of Reform members will be held at an early date. Mr. Holland is the only party leader not at present in Wellington, and there has been no indication thaE Labour members will meet, in Wellington before Parliament assembles. A caucus of the United Party was held to-night, Sir Joseph Ward presiding. The meeting was most enthusiastic and passed the following resolution unanimously: ."Recognising that the future prosperity and good guidance of Now Zealand depends on co-operation, sincerity and sacrifice, ,wo hereby affirm and declare unwavering loyalty, support and faith in our distinguished leader, Sir Joseph Ward." .

POSITION OF LABOUR. . WISE DIPLOMACY NEEDED. "GIVE UNITED. PARTY A CHANCE" [DY TELFGIUI'H.—OWN COItrtESPONDENr.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. "Labour's position in the new Parliament will bo one which will require a wise diplomacy," says the New Zealand Worker. "There can ho no doubt as to what the Labour Party's course will lie on a motion by Sir Joseph Ward of noconfidence in tho Government. Labour will vote t.lio Government out. Up to this point its problem will be easy. An intricate arid perplexing situation will arise, however, when Sir Joseph takes possession of tho Treasury Benches. "As it si l cms to us, Labour has everything to gain by allowing Sir Joseph the "|>|)ortunity to implement his policy. Thousands of people entertain the sincere* conviction that tho United Party under his leadership can set New Zealand on tho path to prosperity. Very well, for their sakos Sir Joseph should be tested. If ho fails it will not ho tho Labour tarty that will bo disappointed. "Labour's power to oust Sir Joseph Ward during tho life of this Parliament should not bo over estimated. Labour can put him in, but cannot put him out unless Air. Coates is agreeable. Tho realisation of this fact by the Reform ;. y , ulll probably lead to a covert fusion by which it will keep Sir Joseph I" power. 1 his tactic is already beinc openly advocated in tho Reform Partv press. J "The alternative to the covert fusion is tho straight-out coalition suggested by Air. Lysnur and Mr. Hansom. This latter may not bo immediately practical, but in either CJIK<I t ) lfj labour Party will have tlm best of the argument with the average United Party supporter, many of whom, after Mr. Hansom's proposal, must 0 wondering by this timo why coalition should be urged if tho election'differences worn realities and not pretences. Labour need not lie impetuous. It can afford in Ascpiithiari terminology, to 'wait and see.' "