THE GENERAL ELECTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18735, 13 December 1922, Page 6

THE GENERAL ELECTION

EMANCIPATION OP WORKERS. REASONS FOR PARTY SUCCESS. (Pub United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 12. The Labour Party has issued a statement on the result of the elections, claiming that its success bears full relationship to the * movement for the emancipation of the workers throughout the world. The prime cause of Labour’s advance is the desire of the people for a more reasonable social system. Capitalism has failed to deliver the goods, and the hope of the future is contained within the principles expounded by Labour. There are also several more immediate and local causes, such as the effort to brand all Labour candidates as disloyalists and the cry of confiscation. 'Hie address also alludes to the policy of the Government in reducing wages, making rebates in taxation to wealthy corporations, and failing to tackle the housing problem. The most significant fact was that Labour nollcd a substantial majority in the electorates where party condidates were standing, figures being:—Labour. 139,045; Rearm, 113,329; Wilford, 49,414; Independents, 40,766. The problem of unemployment and the immigration policy were also responsible for many votes in favour of Labour. Allusion is made to Labour candidates, opposing the committal of th© country to war without the people having the full facts at their disposal. The party claims that the result of the election is;— Reform, 38; Labour, 17; Liberals. 16; Independent Liberals, 6; Independents, 3. CHRISTCHURCH NORTH SEAT. ELECTION ACTION ABANDONED. (Pkb United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 12. The Press says it is understood that the election action, E. H. Andrews versus L. M. -Isitt. M.P., will not be proceeded with. The case is set down for hearing to-morrow. Th© information was laid by Mr E. H. Andrews. Independent Reform candidate for Christchurch North, against L. M. Tsitt. Mr Isitt was charged that he did, between the issue of the writs, under the Legislature Act, 1908. and the close of the poll, cause to be published printed matter containing an untrue statement, defamatory of; the said Mr Andrews, and one calculated to influence the vote of an elector, which matter was in the words following : “If ho did, why was he so jubilant when at last, induced by the promise of th© P.P.A. to pay his expenses. Mr Andrews determined to stand.” The proceedings were taken under section 158 of the Legislature Act, 1908. AMENDED RETURNS AND OFFICIAL COUNTS. Th© following amended returns and official counts have been received:— DUNEDIN NORTH. J. W. MUNRO (Lab.) 5003 J. J. Clark (1.R.) 4940 DUNEDIN SOUTH. T. K. SIDBY (L.) 5480 J. E. MaoManus (Lab.) ... 3750 CHALMERS. J. M‘C. DICKSON (R.) ... 3544 J. Stephens (Lab.) 2965 Final count. Informal, 77. OAMARU. J. A. MAOPHERSON (L.) ... 4049 Hon. E. Lee (R.) 4042 Twenty absentee votes yet to come. CLUTHA. • J. EDIE (L.) 3770 A. SI. Malcolm (R.) 3676 Final. WAKATIPU. J. HORN (L.) 4022 u. Ritchie (R.) 2439 Final returns. WELLINGTON NORTH. Sir J. P. LUK.iI. (R.) 4614 H. E. Combs (Lab.) 4243 James Young (L.) 1525 Of the absentee votes and seamen’s declarations Sir John Luke received 280, Mr Combs 262, and Mr Young 94. PATE A. J. R. CORRIGAN (L.) 3380 E. Dixon (R.) 3288 G. "V. Pearce (1.R.) 1038 informal, 65. Six absent votes to come. WELLINGTON NORTH. . (Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 12. - With 12 absentee votes to come the position in Wellington North isLuke 4614, Combs 4243, Young 1 1525. Of the absentee •votes and seamen’s declarations Sir John ■Luke received 280, Mr Combs 262, and Mr Young 94. THE LOCAL RECOUNTS. The scrutiny of th© rolls in the four Dunedin electorates has been completed, and tu© official counts are expected to be finished to-day. When this work has been done the recount of the licensing votes will be 'undertaken. DUNEDIN NORTH. LABOUR MAJORITY REDUCED. The returning officer for Dunedin North (Mr -l>. Lar.nach) advised yesterday that he had counted 337 absentees’ votes for Mr Clark and 143 for Mr Munro. Mr Munro has now polled 5003 and Mr Clark 4940. There are up to 60 votes that may yet come to hand. DUNEDIN SOUTH. The official count for the Dunedin South teat, which was completed at Mr Tennent’s office yesterday, gives Mr Sidey 5480 votes and Mr MacManus 3754. There are about 50 absentees’ and about 20 seamen’s votes to come in. The licensing count will begin this morning. CLUTHA. The official count of absent voters’ permits in the Clutha election took place" on Monday, and resulted:—John Edie 79, A. S. Malcolm 86, informal 3; —total 168. Of the 193 permits used, 163 are thus to hand, leaving zS still to D© counted. Mr Edie’s majority was 101, and this leaves . the figures:—Edie 5770, Malcolm 3676 majority to date, 94.