REFORM VICTORY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 966, 8 May 1930, Page 1

REFORM VICTORY

MR. ENDEAN WINS IN PARNELL MAJORITY OF 1,485 By a majority of 1.485 votes. Mr. W. P. Endean won the Parnell by-election for Reform yesterday. With the exception of three booths Brighton Road. Alexandra Theatre and St. Heliers Presbyterian Church—Mr. Endean topped the poll in every instance. The voting: is as follows: Mr. W. P. Endean < Reform > 4.607 Mr. TV. A. Donald (United> 3.122 Mr. T. Bloodworth (Labour) 2.065 Majority for Mr. Endean 1.455 In 1919, when Mr. Bloodworth con* tested the seat in Labour interests, th* figures were: Mr. J. S. Dickson ( Reform) 5.706 Mr. T. Bloodworth (Labour) 2.257 Mrs. K. L. Bourne (Libera I) 1,026 Absentee votes numbering 256. four seamen s rights and 143 postal votes have yet to be returned, but these cannot alter the relative position of the candidates. THE VOTING Following are the details of tha voting:— Results of voting at the booths ar* as under: ' : , | i 1 ; ; ; | ! j !

The voting at yesterday’s poll wrnf much lighter than was expected, and well below that at the General Eleo tion. Although the roll strength yesterday was 14,019, allowing for absentee, postal, seamen’s and informal votes, only 10,238 votes were recorded, or 73 per cent. A check made by the returning officer, Mr. W. Lovell, at midday showed that only approximately 2,000 votes had been recorded during the morning, but in the late afternoon the polling became much heavier. In 1928 the roll strength of the electorate was 14,073. and on that occasion 12,179 votes were recorded, or 86.7 per cent. Ten minutes after the closing of the poll the first return came in at the returning officer’s rooms in High Street. This was from the Glendowie Golf Club pavilion, St. Heliers Bay. From then on booths reported in rapid succession, and at eight o’clock, an hour after the booths closed, only one booth remained to come in. Exceptionally smart work cn the part of the returning officer’s staff enabled the final result to bo made known at 8.20 p.m. REFORM’S CONSISTENT LEAD With the exception of the thred booths referred to Mr. Endean led in every instance. At Brighton Road Mr. Bloodworth and Mr. Donald polled evenly, and at Alexandra Theatre. Green Lane, and the St. Heliers Presbyterian Church. Mr. Donald topped the poll. At Green Lane both candidates polled more than Mr. E* dean. The result of the poll was followed with, keen interest in Ministerial circles. Special telephone wires had been installed at the returning officer's headquarters in Lawcourt Buildings, High Street. these connecting w ith the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, at Rotorua, and with the Cabinet room in Parliament Buildings, Wellington. Until the 1928 election Parnell had been a Reform stronghold for 17 years. At the last General Election it was won by Mr. H. R. Jenkins (United), who defeated Mr. J. S. Dickson after a hard fought election. The voting in 1928 was as follows: Mr. H. R. Jenkins (United) .. 5.642 Mr. J. S. Dickson (Reform) .. 4,793 Mr. J. W. Yarnall (Labour) .. 1,661 Majority for Mr. Jenkins .. 84S|

UNEXCITING FINISH OF CONTEST EFFICIENT DISPLAY SERVICE Auckland greeted the results of 4fie Parnell by-election quietly last Gening. Small crowds assembled *it the various points where progress returns were displayed, but the usual pleasure-seeking throngs went their various ways, content to learn the verdict haphazard. T)KOBABLY the keenest interest was .1 shown at Newmarket, where practical! y every member of the crowd that assembled in Broadway was a resident j r the electorate and a supporter of one or other of the candidates. There the exclusive display of the returns carried out by The Sun at its agency, was greatly appreciated. The absence of excitement was due principally to the clear-cut nature of Reform's victory. Shortly after 7 p.nr, when the first results were posted at The Sun's branch office in Queen Street and on The Sun board at Newmarket, Mr. \V. P. Endean was hailed as a certainty, and his early lead was never challenged. Before an hour had passed the final issue was beyond doubt, and watchers cf every political creed took stock of the position quietly and good-humour-ed] y.

Congratulations are due to the returning officer and his staff, who handled the returns from 25 pollingpiaces with unusual celerity. Shortly after 8 o’clock the final Figures were to hand and. within another half-hour, the speeches of the candidates had been made, thus closing the last act of the by-election. A smooth organisation enabled The Sun to acquaint the Queen Street and Newmarket crowds with the figures

from each L»< ih a few moments after their receipt by the returning officer. As each result came to hand it was telephoned immediately to Xewmarket and to the Queen Street office, thence by direct wire to The Sun’s main office, v/hero a steady flood of telephone inquiries were answered. Inquiries by telephone continued until late in the evening and The Sun’s displays remained on view for several hours. "When the theatres emptied, passing crowds were able to examine the full results at a glance, including the detailed returns from each pollingplace.

When the victor and vanquished made their speeches they were given an attentive hearing. Mr. Endean was leceived with enthusiasm and his opponents were applauded generously.

AFTER THE FRAY

ELECTORS ADDRESSED BY CANDIDATES “CLEAN, HONEST FIGHT” Soon after the result of the Parnell by-election was known last evening the successful candidate and his opponents addressed those who waited until the final figures were announced. “The result cannot have anything but good results,” said the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Reader of the Reform Party. “It has been particularly gratifying to me to note the manner, in which Mr. H. R. Jenkins and Mr. J. S. Dickson put their own interests, aside for those of the party and worked for the teturn of Mr. Endean.” ‘•MY BEST EFFORTS” Said Mr. Endean. “I wish to thank tuy supporters for their efforts on behalf of the Reform Party. I wish also to pay- a tribute to Mr. Donald iud to Mr. Bloodvvorth for the clean fight they have made. We shall remain friends. I shall put forward my best efforts in the interests of the electors of Parnell and of the Dominion. I want to congratulate the Press on the manner in which it has conducted what might have been a verybitter contest.” WOULD TRY AGAIN Said Mr. Donald: “My first duty is to congratulate the victor and also Mr. Bloodwortli on the good poll he made. We fought a good, honest fight. I have done my best for the United Party, but my best was evidently not good enough. The party will not he unduly disturbed by this defeat. Parnell has been a Reform seat for many years and the electors have now gone back to their old love. We live to fight another day and when that day comes, if the United Party executive sees fit to nominate me. I shall be pleased and proud to fight for them again.” EXPLAINED LABOUR’S VIEW Said Mr. Bloodwortli: “Mr. Endean won in fair fight. I knew we were undertaking a difficult job, but X went into it to do the best I could. Although we would have enjoyed the contest more had we been winners, we are pleased that it lias given us the opportunity of explaining Labour’s policy. t think that the Labour movement will now be undertood better, not only in Parnell, but throughout the whole of New Zealand. Mr. Endean and Mr. Donald fought in a fair and sportsmanlike way. We close the contest as we started it—the best of friends.” Mr. Endean spoke from IYA later in the evening.

AN ORGANISER’S POINT OF VIEW

MR. A. E. DAVY COMMENTS ON THE RESULT Mr. a. E. Davy, formerly organiser * or the Reform Party and chairman of the United Party organisation up ;1 few months ago, made the folstatement this morning: result of the Parnell by-election by no means unexpected. llowin view of the fact that it was to "/d intents and purposes a trial c.f strength bv the parties. I am surprised at the comparatively small number of votes polled. It must he remembered that this was a unique contest - inasmuch as it was fought on a principle and as an indication of pub•**7 opinion. The defeat of Mr. Donald. Jr* 10 Put up an excellent fight, reflects the very apparent dissatisfaction with Ward Administration. is obvious that the numerous Ministers made no impression. + osv pictures evidently have lost javour with a now fact-seeking public. Mr. Endean will undoubtedly prove an Requisition to the present House. The business of this country would he conducted in a far more efficient fashion, 11 had more of his type and fewer Party hacks.

"It is pleasing that capabilities such ms possessed by Mr. Jenkins will not be lost to the House as a result of the by-election, and it is to be hoped in view of his most honourable action his Retirement from politics will be only temporary/*

REFORM THREE AHEAD

STATE OF PARTIES The winning of the Darnell seat by Reform makes the second seat that the United Party has lost since the 3 928 election, Labour recently having taken the Hutt seat from that party. Following the General Election the Reform and United Parties were equal with 28 members each, Labour having 19. The present states of the parties is as follows: Reform 29 United 26 Labour 20 Independent 4 Total 'BO The members classed as Independents are Sir Charles Statham, who is Speaker, Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, Mr. W. J. Poison and Mr. J. T. Hogan. The lastnamed, however, attends United Party caucuses and has not so far voted against the Government on policy questions. Mr. J. S. Fletcher and Mr. W. J. Boadfoot are included in the United Party strength, although they have both recently shown certain independent leanings.

BloodW( >rth. IJonald. Endean Epsom I Kohiniarama Newmarket Hall 87 is Ranfurly Rd. K. 135 Cornwall P. School ffi Parnell. Ten. Pav. 1*5 Brighton Road . . Baptist Church, 92 22 82 Remuera Rd. 47 129 St. Luke’s. Rernuera Road 44 316 Dromorne Road . 22 72 Alexandra Theatre 262 2,4 I De Luca’s Store 64 94 Remuera Library 207 462 Meadowbank School 1 8 il Rawhiti Bowl. Club 41 42 Somervell Hall . . 4 t ’IS \ ictoria Avenue 40 166 P.W. Camp. Orakci 2 12 St. Mark s Hall . 221 474 St. Aidan’s Hall s 7.6 105 Glendowie . . Peerless Theatre. 9 31 • 20 St. Hellers . 342 3 72 1S7 Presby. Church, St. Heliers .. 24 70 2.4 Y.M.C.A.. St. Heliers .. .. 50. 41 9.9 Tamaki West .. 32 9 20 Totals .. .. 2,065 3,122 4,607