PARTY LEADERS

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

PARTY LEADERS

COMMENTS ON "VOTE MR. SAVAGE ELATED * "FIGURES TI-LL OWN STORY" [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECHAL REPORTED!] WELLINGTON, Wednesday "If the, result of the Manukau byelection to-day is not a clear and emphatic endorsement of ' the Labour Government's policy and the practice of it since assuming olfice, then I am no judge of political feeling in. this country," said the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, when commenting to-night on the outcome of the poill.

"The figures tell their own story." added Mr. Savage. "There were fewer votes cast against the Labour candidate upon this occasion than were recorded against Mr. Jordan at the general election last year. If anyone likes to look upon such a result as a hollow victory, they are welcome to that sort of rejoicing. In view of the fact that a by-election never arouses the same interest as that shown at a .general election, the result at Manukau appears to be outstanding. "It should not be overlooked," continued the Prime Minister, "that Mr. Osborne, the successful candidate, was making his first appearance in the Manukau electorate, although he had proved himself to be an able campaigner in another Auckland electorate. Moreover. Mr. Osborne followed Mr. Jordan, who was one of the oldest, most skilful, and best liked members of the Labour Party in the Dominion. That emphasises the appeal which Mr Osborne and the Labour Party made in the electorate."

"The poll provides evidence that the electors of Manukau have some misgivings as to the future and as to the wisdom of the Government's policy," said the Leader of the Opposition, the lit. Hon. G. W. Fortes, when commenting on the result of the byelection.

The result, added Mr. Forbes, was a foregone conclusion. An examination, of the figures recorded at the general election last year was interesting, as they showed that Labour then received 9345 votes. There were then two candidates opposed to the National Government, and the poll against that Government was 10.365. At the byelection the vote agaimst the National Party was 8241. Apart from die absentee votes to come., the National Party had therefore received an increase of nearly 000 votes over the vote in 1935.

SCENE OF ACTIVITY TRANSPORT OF VOTERS FLEETS OF CARS USED Few Auckland by-elections within memory have aroused such interest .as yesterday's contest for Manukau. Throughout the polling hours there was intense activity in the electorate, especially round the headquarters of the National and Labour Parties at Royal Oak, at the two polling places in Queen Street, Onehuuga, and at the Ellerslie Parish. Hall. Motor-cars decked with the red, white and blue of the Nationalists and the scarlet of Labour were dashing to and fro, bringing in voters and taking them back to their homes. Crowds of anything up to 50 people gathered round the entrances of the principal booths, discussing the course of events and exchanging estimates of the voting rivhin. The Labour Party had been able to concentrate more resources in Manukau than at the general election, and had at its disposal over 100 ears, or at least 30 more than on the former occasion. Many of the vehicles were adorned with red ribbons and large serial numbers, but others merely had £. small red disc on the windscreen. The Nationalists had only about a thiird of the number of cars possessed by the other party, but the drivers, who included many women, worked tirelessly throughout the day. Although 17 polling-places had been provided, the large area of the district made motor transit really necessary to many voters, and the cars must have travelled thousands of miles. The candidates, Mr. A. G. Osborne and Mr. F. W. Doidge, made rounds of the booths at regular intervals, encouraging their supporters and attending to details of organisation.

Polling early began in earnest, and Mas unusually heavy throughout the morning. A contingent of voters from the Otahuliu railway workshops, said to number about 300, arrived at the Ellerslie polling place by train in the middle of the afternoon, and after city businesses closed there was an influx which caused delays at a number of booths. The Labour Party met this to some extent by using its transport to take voters to places where there was less congestion. As usual, a special booth was provided at the Auckland Infirmary, where inmates and staff number about 300. Most of these recorded their votes in the morning, and arrangements were made by which bedridden, patients could vote.

THE NEW MEMBER WIDE RAtyGE OF INTERESTS The new member for Manukau, Mr. A. G. Osborue, was born in Christchurch in 1891 and came to Auckland as a child. He has taken a keen interest in educational matters and for many years was a member of the Northcote School committee!. He :also has interested himself in the activities of the Workers' Educational Association. Mr. Osborne is a kuen worker in the interests of friendly societies and has occupied the highest chair in the Auckland - District A.0.F., and has been High Chief Ranger, A.0.F., for New Zealand. Since his youth he has been associated with the Labour Party, and for the past 15 years has been an executive officer. He stood for the Parncll seat at the general election last year, and, although defeated, polled over 5000 votes in a very difficult electorate from his pai'ty's standpoint. He recently resigned his membership of the Northcote Borough Council.