SEAT RETAINED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 10

SEAT RETAINED

MANUKAU VERDICT BY-ELECTION RESULT LARGE LABOUR MAJORITY HEAVY POLL RECORDED The Labour Party retained the Manukau seat at the by-election yesterday, when its candidate, Mr. A. G. Osborne, was returned with a majority of 4411 votes over the National Party candidate, Mr. F. W. Doidge. The result of the voting was: —• A. G. Osborne (Labour) . . 8,241 F. W. Doidge (National) . . 3,830 Majority for Osborne . . 4,411 The number of votes cast was slightly lower than those recorded at the general election last November. Yesterday a total of 12,100 electors exercised their votes, compared with 13,384 at the general election. In the November election Mr. W. J. Jordan gained a clear majority of 5382 over his opponents, so that Mr. Doidge reduced the Government's majority in the electorate by 971. Mr. Jordan gained 70.22 per cent of the votes cast, while yesterday Mr. Osborne polled 68.10 per cent of the total votes recorded.

Details of Voting Details of the voting are as follows: —

Doidge Osborne Ellerslie Parish Hall . . 352 034 Ellerslie-Panmure .. 40 379 Epsom Methodist Hall .. 002 d~l Green Lane, Conway's Store 1(>8 • 287 Green Lane Fire Station 253 253

Mount Roskill .. 142 1«>.) Mount Wellington . . 25 <0 Onehunga Foresters' Hall 1410 Oranga Avenue .. .. 30 149 Royal Oak Hall . • 050 }!J!~ H.A. Barracks (principal) 221 1023 Oostley Home .. . • 49 -37 Campbell Road .. .. 135 Panmure .. .. 03 210 Penrose . .. •• 78 419 Te Papapa .. •. 1-- £3O WcstGeld .. •• 41 21J Totals 3830 8241 There are 174 absentee votes and 370 postal votes to come. Result Known Early There were 17 polling places in the electorate and' Mr. Osborne obtained majorities at 15 of these. Mr. Doidge's only majority was that at the Epsom Methodist Hall, where he polled 962 votes to Mr. Osborne's 677. At the Green Lane Fire Station the candidates tied with 253 votes each. The heaviest voting was at the Onehunga Foresters' Hall, where 1873 votes were polled, while other high returns were:—Royal Oak, 1719; Epsom, 1639; • Ellerslie, 1286; and Onehunga Salvation Army Barracks, 1244. Mr. Osborne's biggest majority was gained at the Onehunga Foresters' Hall, where he polled 947 votes more than his opponent. The despatch with which the counting of the votes was carried out was a tribute to the arrangements made by the returning officer, Mr. D. Smith. Vpting closed at 7 p.m. and the first return was received by Mr. Smith at the Onehunga post office at 12 minutes past seven. Other returns came in at frequent intervals, tho final return being received at 7.40. In view of the widespread nature of the electorate and tho magnitude of the poll it is thought that this must almost constitute a record. KEEN INTEREST SHOWN CROWD AWAITS RESULT SPEECHES BY CANDIDATES Loud cheering by a large crowd outside the Onehunga. Post Office greeted the announcement of the result of the by-election. People had been gathering from seven o'clock and soon the throng extended right across Queen Street. The appearance of the two candidates in the front porch of the post office was the signal for even greater applause. Addressing the crowd, Mr. Osborne expressed his sincere thanks to the people of Manukau for endorsing the policy of the Government. At the same time he emphasised the good work done by those who had been actively associated with him and his committees. All assisting in the campaign had given of their best without any thought of reward. No individual had received payment of any kind other than the knowledge that they would benefit from the activities of the Labour Government. He also paid a tribute to the national secretary of the Labour Party, Mr. D. Wilson, for the complete organisation of their campaign. "The issue before the people of New Zealand so far as this election was concerned was whether the people of Manukau endorsed the policy of the Government or not," said Mr. Osborne. "The result proves conclusively to me, and 1 believe to the whole of New Zealand,, that the people of Manukau are desirous of having more legislation of the kind already passed by the Government. 1 do not look on this victory as a personal one." Mr. Osborne said it would be his earnest endeavour to live up to the very high standard set for him by Mr. Jordan. After cheers had been given for tho new member, Mr. Osborne asked the crowd to give his opponent, Mr. Doidge, the same impartial hearing that he had received.

"I join you in hearty congratulations to Mr. Osborne," said Mr. Doidge. "When I first met Mr. Osborne three weeks ago, we shook hands and agreed to make it a clean fight and refrain from personalities. He kept his word and I. think 1 can say that 1 kept mine. We both gave and took hard knocks." Mr. JDoidge congratulated Mr. Osborne on gaining a splendid victory, but he said he was not downhearted. His party had managed to reduce tlie Labour majority by about 1000 votes. He also spoke of the good work done by the organisation behind him in the campaign. He said he had no regrets. He was well beaten by a good man. He could not wish to meet a fairer or bonnier fighter. He was content to leave it at that.

The crowd gave Mr. Doidge a most attentive hearing and received his remarks with applause.