"STRATFORD EVENING POST" THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1929. BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 27, 31 January 1929, Page 4

"STRATFORD EVENING POST" THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1929. BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT.

THE fact that the, Bay of. Islands election lias been upset as a result ot irregularities which were, .net the responsibility of either of the candidates is not a serious matter. Any contest, especially one in which the margin of votes is so small, can always bo upset without a great deal of difficulty, as usually sufficient inegularities can be detected to alter the result. There, have been numerous cases of this in New Zealand. Another; election will have to be fought for this Beat, and although ,it is stated there are likely to be additional candidates in the- field the main issue must bo between Col. Allen Bell, the "Reform nominee and Opt. Bushworth, the Country Party's sole representative in Parliaeut, during last session. These two candidates wore very evenly atchcd in public estimation, and it is difficult to forecast how 1 the contest will go. Cbl. Bell has aoarently been a good member for his district, and this fa**' was being exnloite.d to its utmost oven before the election court sat, Resolutions eulmgising him were being passed b v County Councils, not always unanimously certainly, but such'things often have some effect in swaying public, opinion. Capt. Bushworth Is a man with a. complete knowledge of farming problems and is "« settler of unusual attainments and culture with an inspiring war record- Whichever way the elect lo " goes * cannot aifect tue position ot parties in the House, and therefore it will bo merely a contest of personalties iti <K wurse. involves tue survival or disappearance 01 the Country Barty. As the only iarliamenLary representative ot uiaD or-aainsat-on, Air KusUwortH was alludJa to by the. Speaker m the House as "the. honourable tne. leader of the Couavtry, Party.'' T,bus h 0 proceeded to make hw manic speech, and deline, the. altitude o hnnseMaaid party). He has. Playeu his part in one of the shortest and ye* m l historic sessions on should ho be defeated at the by-elec tion, he. -ill not have, entered polltics in vain.