THE SOCIALISTIC “VICTORIES.”

Southland Times, Issue 21578, 16 December 1931, Page 3

THE SOCIALISTIC “VICTORIES.”

To the Editor. Sir, —It is hoped that the election results will have brought home to some candidates the futility (and danger) of' their efforts and that the-" now realize what important factors they have been in giving victory to the party (Labour) to which they are opposed. A perusal of the figures should also show to Labour, and particularly the Labour leaders, that their jubilation at their so-called progress —an increase of members (from 20 to 24 in a House of 80) —is quite unjustified. ■Mr Holland with his usual subtle and false reasoning, holds that “the majority Labour has received on this occasion is the forerunner of a stronger majority to come at the next election.” I contend that the figures show just the opposite, and that according to the votes cast Labour would not have won either Auckland East, Roskill, Gisborne, Wellington North, or Timaru in a straightout contest. The split votes of the anti-Socialistic candidates, no: the voice of the people, gave five Labourites the victory. Taking the figures at present available, one finds that their nominees were elected on minority votes as follows:—

Auckland East: Schramm, Labour, 3695 votes; (Majority 1559). Opponents’ (AntiSocialistic) votes 5108: total votes polled 8798; Schramm’s actual minority 1413. Roskill: Richards, Labour 4661 votes; (Majority 1159, Opponents’ (Anti-Social-istic) votes 7231; total votes polled 11,982; Richards’ actual minority 2570. Gisborne: Coleman, Labour 4162 votes; (Majority 1159). Opponents’ (Anti-Social-istic) votes 5048; total votes polled 9310; Coleman’s actual minority 886.

Wellington North: Chapman, Labour 4175; (Majority 991); Opponents’ (Antiistic) votes 7231; total votes polled 9443; Chapman’s actual minority 1093. Timaru: Carr, Labour 5016; (Majority 739) ; Opponents’ (Anti-Socialistic) votes 5350; Carr’s actual minority 334; total votes polled 10,366. United and Reform are avowedly antiSocialistic, so that in contests where both these candidates stood against Labour —a fatal mistake —the anti-Socialistic vote was hopelessly split. Had there been straightout fights between Anti-Socialistic and Socialistic candidates in Auckland East, Roskill, Gisborne, Wellington North and Timaru, these seats would not have gone to Labour, which would then have had 19 members in the House instead of 24. But Mr Holland sees fit to claim the result of the General Election as “a great Labour victory!” This (to put it mildly) is nothing but a fanatical and blind optimism. Anyhow, the electors have given their verdict; and despite the unpopular legislation that the Government has been forced to introduce to save the country from disaster New Zealand has wisely preferred sane, safe, and honest measures to the unsound, extravagant and dangerous proposals of the Labour-Socialistic Party. —I am, etc-ANTI-BLUFF. December 5, 1931.