THE GENERAL ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 14

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

ANOTHER CASTING VOTE.

TIE IN BAY OF ISLANDS.

MR. ALLEN BELL RETURNED. FIVE PAPERS OVERLOOKED. JUY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] KAIKOIIE. Friday Tho Bay of Islands election, which lias famished a series of surprises and dramatic situations, provided another to-day when it was discovered that five votes had been overlooked in tho official count yesterday. Fortunately, the returning officer, Mr. H. 0. Blundell. had not made his declaration of the poll when the mistako was disclosed, although it was stated Mr. H. M. Rushworth, the Country Party candidate, had defeated Mr. Allen Bell, Government, by one vote.

On tho retrieved votes being counted threo proved to bo for Mr. Bell and two for Mr. Rushworth. This brought the candidates oven with 3839 votes each.

In accordance with custom tho returning officer gave his casting vote in favour of tho retiring member, and declared Mr. Bell elected.

It is almost certain a magisterial recount will be domanded by the Country Party.

Interviewed in Auckland yesterday, the secretary of the Country Party, Mr. A. E. Robinson, said no definite steps had been decided upon as far as the party was concerned. There was, however, every probability that a recount would be requested.

COALITION OPPOSED. UNITED PARTY UNANIMOUS. " A MOST'IMPROPER THING." STATEMENT BY THE LEADER. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COMtESrONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Friday In a statement to-day Sir Joseph Ward, Lender of the United Party, said he \va3 more than pleased with the attendance at the conference of the United Party last evening They were unanimous, he said, in supporting him in declining to enter tain any proposals for a coalition with the Reform Party

Tho United Party, he had noticed, was being urged to entertain such a proposal, but ho was satisfied that it would he n most improper thing for tho United Party, the members of which were returned pledged to vote against tho continuance of tho Reform Party. He would regard it, as far as he was personally concerned, as being traitorous act to the electors of New Zealand who had so largely supported the now party to entertain any such idea. It was in his opinion not by any means the way out of what was in some respects a difficult situation.

Sir Joseph said he was pleased, speaking on beh'ilf of the party, to acknowledge <ho splendid way in which the party, ul though quite young, had beon treated throughout the Dominion, and ho felt it Avas his clear duty to put on the Statute Book tho policy thaf the party had supported, even if it meant a further fight in the constituencies There was no mis taking the fact, and any impartial elector, to whatever party he belonged, must acknowledge the revulsion against the Reform Party was definite and absolute. They went to the country with a party of 53 and returned from the election with that party reduced to 26.

The nature of tho defeat was without precedent, in the history of the country Four Ministers, the Chairman of Commit tees, the Senior Whip and other pood men in tho ranks of tlie Reform Party wore unmistakably defeated at tho polls. For anyone to expect of the United Party Ihut it should start to kill its poliry l>y joining v.'ith its defeated opponents was asking for what was impossible. •The fact remained also, said Sir Joseph, that tho four members who had been returned as Independents had all commuui cated with him and had advised him that, they would support him on a want-of-tonfidenco motion. Tho fifth Independent member was tho former Speaker, whom he did not regard as a party man. Thero were 29 present at the United Party mooting. Sir Joseph Ward pre sided, and others present were Messrs. G. C. Black (Motuoka), W. A. Bodkin (Central Otngo), W. J. Rroadfoofc (Waitomu), C. 11. C'linkard (I'otorna), J. ti. Cobbo Groua), J. B. Donald (Auckland East), J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynn), G. W. Forbes (Hurunui), R. W. Hawke (Kaiapoi), E. F. Hoaly (Wairau), 11. R. Jenkins (Par noil), F. Lye (Waikato), J. A, Macphersoii (Oamaru), T Makitanara (Southern Maori), G, C. Munns (Roskill), A. J. Murdoch (M.irsdon), T. W. McDonald (Wairarapa), Sir A. Ngata (Eastern Maori), I'. A, r>ii La Perello (Awarua), E. A. Ransom (Pahiatua), S. CI. Smith (New Plymouth), A. J. Stalhvorthy (Eden), W. L>.'Lavcriie.r (Ouncdin South), W. A. Veitch (Waugamii), T. M. Wil fonl (Hull.), ,J. T. Hour,n (Kangilikci) and G. A. Wilkinson (Egmout). The following, who were i-nable to attend owiri?

to the shortness of notice, sent apologies ; --Messrs. D. McDougall (Matauia), W J. Poison (Stratford) and II M. Cnsh worth (Biiy of islands).

Although it is stated thero were 29 present at the United Party lueel mg only 28 names aiu given in tho list. 'I he •Hissing name ij obviously that of Mr. 11. ,\tinoro (Nelson), why was elected as an Independent MEASURES, NOT PAUTIES. MR. F. LANGSTONE'S VIEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. J TAUMAKUNUI. Friday In nn interview regarding tho attitude the Labour Party will adopt in connection with tho United Party Mr. F. Latigstonc. Lftbouv member for Waimarmo, slated that tho Labour Party supports measures, not parties, ff tho United Party gained office and was willing to establish a Stale bank with tho solo right of note issue, reduce rates of interest, institute a vigorous land settlement and deal with the unemployment problem, it would be assured o£ Labour's support to enact ami administer these measures.