VOTES AND PARTIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20115, 28 November 1928, Page 12

VOTES AND PARTIES.

THE ELECTION RESULTS.

LUCK LEANS TO UNITEDS.

LABOUR UNDER-REPRESENTED.

Out of a population of 1,389,076, exclusive of Maoris, no fewer than 731,771 persons cast valid votes at tho general election. The completion of tho official count in tho various electorates shows that the parties polled the following number of votes:— Reform .. .. 262,907 United .. .. 221,789 labour . . .. 19G.572 Country . . .. 12.009 Independent .. .. .'18.494 731,771 Tho figures show that Reform, which was accorded greater nupport than was given to any other party, received 41,118 votes moro than tho United Party, and 66,135 votes moro than tho Labour Party. It received 35.93 per cent, of all tho votes cast in the European electorates, as compared with 30.31 per cent, for United and 26.06 per cent, for Labour. Tho Country Party received 1.64 per cent., and the various candidates who stood as Independents wero given 5.26 per cent, of tho valid votes cost.

Reform has 27 European members in the new House, United 25 and Labour 19. There are also five Independents, but the Country Party, as a result of tho returning officer's casting vote in tho Bay of Islands, is now without, a single representative. The following tablo shows (1) tho voting strength of each party, (2) the proportion the party vote bears to tho aggregato vote throughout the country, (3) tho number of scats held by each party, and (4) tho relation in which those seats stand in a Houso of 76 European members : Voter. _ Members. Number. p.c, Number, p.c. lteform . . 202,907 35.9;! 27 35.5 United .. 221,789 30.31 25 32.9 3>nbour . . 19fi,572 20.80 19 25.0 Country . . 12,00!) 1.04 Independent 38,494 5.20 5 0.6 731,771 100.00 76 100.0 The Ilcform Party received 35.93 per cent, of tho votes cast in the election, and its representation is i>5.5 per cent, of the House. For practical purposes, therefore, its representation is fair and exact. It has no more nor no fewer members than it is justly entitled to. The United Party obtained 30.31 of the total votes cast and has a representation in the House corresponding to 32.9 per cent. On a proportional basis it therefore has at least two moro members than it would bo entitled to upon tho voting. The Labour Party, on tho other hand, has received 26.86 per cent, of tho total votes, and its membership is 25 per cent, of the House, so that on a reasonable basis it would bo entitled to practically two more members. On the same showing tho Independents aro over-represented by one, while tho Country Party is at least entitled to ono member on the strongth of its poll. On the whole, there are no glaring discrepancies or anomalies. Only two parties have any just cause for complaint, the Labour Party and the Country Party, and in neither case con cither party claim moro than two moro members than they already have. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. EARLY ELECTION UNLIKELY. VIEW OF RETIRING MINISTER. [BV TELEGK A TH.-—fUESS ASSOCIATION.] TIMARU, Tuesday. The Hon. 1\ J. Rolleston returned to Timaru to-day from Wellington, where he handed in his resignation as a Minister. Interviewed, Mr. Rolleston said he could mako no prophecy as to what might happen in tho future. Tho meeting of Parliament next week would no doubt sort out tho parties. Ha supposed Sir Joseph Ward would bo called upon to form a Ministry, and, having dono that, he would probably nsk for an adjournment to formulate his policy. The House would probably meet again in June. Mr. Rolleston did not think another eleclion was likely in tho near future. REFORM CAUCUS TO-DAY. AUCKLAND MEMBERS LEAVE. In order to attend tho Reform Party caucus at Wellington to-day, Mr. A. Bell, M.P. for Buy of Islands, Mr. A. Harris, M.P. for Waitemnta, and Mr. J. N. Massev, M.P. for Franklin, left by tho limited express last evening.