THE GENERAL ELECTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18736, 14 December 1922, Page 8

THE GENERAL ELECTION

THE SPEAKERSHIP, MR WILFORD’R QUALITIES EULOGISED. FARMERS AND POLITICS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND. December 13. On the question of the Speakership "Old Gallery Man” in the Herald writes: ‘TTad it not been for the fact that, his present position as Leader of the Opposition seemed to suggest that he was out of the running, Mr Wilford would have been the first name in the minds of all who have been long connected with Parliament as that for the Speakership. As n. matter of fact, he is the only man now in Parliament who has had the experience of qualifying him for the office. I well remember the session of 1909, when in (he Ward Government’s term cf administration and Sir Arthur Guinness’s Speakership, Mr Wilford held. the. office of Chairman of Committees ami Deputy Speaker. In no year of my long experience and a close observation of the House was (he Committee of the Whole better governed. Mr Wilford was prompt and clear in every ruling, firm but fair in his maintenance of order, and fust in holding scales between the contending parties. In fact, in the eyes of oven critics politically opposed to him. lie came as near the ideal of what, a chairman should be as is humanly possible. Many cf us at that time regarded Mr Wilford as coming Sneaker.” Political matters were briefly discussed hv the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union last evening. The chairman, Mr R. D. Dux field, referring to the nnestions that, had been placed before candidates for Parliament by the executive, said he had always held the opinion that the practice was useless and farcical. If farmers desired to conserve their own interests, and fhc interests of the dominion, (hev would have to lake more direct political action. This could be done only by establishing a. country political party. Farmers in politics, belonged to both camps. If anything was to be done, action should to taken immediately to establish a new party. ’lhe existing parties were both out of touch with farming interests. Tlie executive would have to set to work at once and see that an entirely new pavtv was established. Mr J. Gartqn said the Farmers’ Union had sadlv “missed the bus.” It was a great pity that the opportunity presented at the recent election had been allowed to slip. He agreed that farmers, notv allied to the old parties, would be glad of the opportunity to have their views represented. It was decided to maintain a fund with a view to future political action. VOTING AT THE ELECTIONS. LABOUR PARTY’S ANALYSIS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 13. Tables attached to the general statement of the Labour Party contain information in regard to the voting at the general election in the four chief centres. The distribution of the votes was as follows; Wellington (six seats).—Reform, 16,545; Liberal, 8259; Labour, 25,875; Independent. 4758. Dunedin (five seats). —Reform. 15,371: Liberal, 5284; Labour, 19,736; Independent 5176. ' Christchurch (six seats).—Reform, 11,069; Liberal 9827; Labour. 22,966; Independent 3081. Auckland (nine seats). —Reform, 29,838; Liberal, 6676; Labour, 33,620; Independent, 14,655 Totals.—Reform, 70,821; Liberal, 30,045; Labour, 102,197; _ Independent, 27,670. Absolute majority members.—Reform, 26: Labour. 11; Liberal, 9; Independent, 6 total, 52. Minority representatives.—Reform, 9; Labour, 6; Liberal, 6; Independent, 5: total, 24. A return is furnished as to what the results would have been under proportional representation, with one electorate for the whole dominion Reform candidates—nominated. 63; voles polled, 327,482: elected, 35; under proportional representation. 30.5. Independent Reform candidates—nominated, 12; votes polled, 19.534; elected, 0 : under proportional representation, 2.5. Wilford Liberals candidates—nominated, 43: votes polled, 125,646: elected, 15; under proportional representation, 16.1. Independent Liberal candidates—nominated, 19; votes rolled, 48.144: elected, 7; under proportional representation. 6.2. Labour candidates—nominated. 40; rotes polled, 139,045; elected. 17; under proportional representation. 18.0. Independent/-—nominated, 9; votes polled, 16,030: elected, 2; under proportional representation, 1.9. , Independent Labour—nominated, 4; totes polled, 6278; under proportional representation, ,8. The figures for Mr Devereux. Reform candidate for Christchurch East, net being available, are not included, neither are the figures for Mr Piggott (Raglan) and Mr Whiteside (Thames). The figures for the Bay of Plenty electorate as recorded at th« bvelection in 1920 are included: Mr K. S. Williams (Reform), 2341; Mr l.ysnar (Liberal), 1735. CHRISTCHURCH NORTH SEAT. INFORMATION -VC A INST MR ISITT LAPSES. (Pee United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 13. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day the information laid by E, H. Andrews (unofficial Reform candidate for Christchurch North) against L. M. Isitt! was dismissed in the absence of evidence for the informant. The solicitor for the informant said that no evidence would be tendered. The Magistrate allowed Mr Isitt £1 Is costs. AMENDED AND FINAL RETURNS. AUCKLAND EAST. - J. A. LEE (Lab.) 5226 C. N. Mackenzie (R.) 4511 AUCKLAND WEST. M. J. SAVAGE (Lab.) ... 5694 John Farrell (R.) 4345 ROSKILL. v. H. POTTER (R.) 4838 nail Skelton (Lib.) 2851 Miss E. Melville (1.R.) 1617 J. Pnrtell (Lab.) 1481 MANUKAU. W. J. JORDAN (Lab) 4620 Hon. Sir F. W. Lang (R.) ... 4411 W. D. Adnanis (I.) 301 Adnams forfeits his deposit. KAIAPOI. Hon, D. BUDDO (Lib.) ... 3328 I). Jones (R.) 3263 R. D. Martin (Lab.) 756 Final. RIUCARTON 0, WITTY (Lib.) 3240 11. S. S. Kyle (R..) 3005 J. A. M'Cullough (Lab.) ... 2341 Final. DUNEDIN CENTRAL. C. E. STATHAM (I.) 6092 J. Gilchrist (Lab.) 4369 , W. S. Maslin (1.L.) 372 Maslin forfeits his deposit. Final, DUNEDIN SOUTH. T. K. SIDEY (L.) 5484 J. E. MacManus (Lab.) ... 3753 Final. Following are additional returns: OROUA. Hon. D. IT. GUTHRIE (R.) 3634 R. Cobbc (Lib.) 3591 EDEN. Hon. C. J. PARR (R.) 3394 H. G. R. Mason (Lab.) 3226 F. S. Morton (Lib.-Lab.) 1390 WAIRAU. W. B. GIRLING (R.) 3991 R. M'Callnm (Lib.) 3805 (Final.) WAITEMATA. A. HARRIS (R.) 4586 F. H. Bin-bush (Lib.) 3315 R. F. Way (Lab.) 2047 GREY LYNN. F. N. BARTRAM (Lab.) ... 5648 W. J. Holdsworth (1.R.) 4241 AUCKLAND CENTRAL. W. E. PARRY (Lab.) 4786 A. E. Glover (I.) 5783 DUNEDIN CENTRAL. The official count, of the Dunedin Centra! electoral poll was completed yesterday, tlie final results being: Mr Statham, 5092; Mr Gilchrist, 4559; and Mr Maslin, 372. Ninety-five informal votes were recorded. At 2 p.m. the official count of the votes cm the licensing issue was commenced. 1

DUNEDIN SOUTH. The official count of the electoral voting in Dunedin South was completed yesterday. and a commencement made with the counting of (ho licensing votes. The final electoral result gives Mr Sidey 5-535 votes and Mr MacMamis 3758. Ninety-three in formal votes were recorded. DUNEDIN NORTH. The present position of the voting for the Dunedin North electorate is that Mr Munro’s majority has been reduced to 63. About 30 absentee votes and seamen's votes are not yet accounted for, and these have to bo calculated before finality can be reached. AWARUA. The latest figures give Mr P. A. de la Porrelle a lead of 55. Some absent votes are still uncounted, but they cannot affect the result. THE OAMARU SEAT. HON E. P. LEE DEFEATED. A MAJORITY OF 15. (Per United Press Association.) OAMARU, December 13. The latest figures arc: J. A. MACPHERSON (Lib.) 4057 Hon. E. P. Lee (R.) 4042 Majority for Mr Macpherson, 15. There are stiff 12 absentee votes to come.