SOMETHING WENT WRONG IN THE WORKS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18629, 5 December 1928, Page 9

SOMETHING WENT WRONG IN THE WORKS.

LABOUR EXPLANATION OF MR ARCHER’S DEFEAT.

Reviewing the election contest in Christchurch North, Mr A. J. Day, honorary secretary of the Christchurch North branch of the Labour Party, writes «s follows in the “ New Zealand Worker

“ The general election has been held, and as results have proved, has provided many sensational surprises, but we believe no surprise was greater than the defeat of the Rev J. K. Archer, who stood as the official Labour candidate for this electorate. Mr Arche r’s election was regarded as a foregone conclusion, and only awaited the endorsement of the electors on November 14. But, lo and behold, when the numbers went up it was discovered that something in the works had gone wrong, and instead of being at the top of the poll, Mr Archer was 25 votes behind the second candidate (Andrews, United).

“ During the campaign Mr Archer addressed some splendid meetings and received great attention during the course of his addresses. The meeting held in Knox Schoolroom was declared to be the greatest political meeting ever held in that hall, which was packed to overflowing with an enthusiastic audience. That was on the Monday evening prior to the election day, and was considered by Mr Archer’s supporters to be a grand finale to an apparently successful campaign. However, the results proved that victory was not yet to be ours, despite the perfect organisation on election day, but we are still optimistic of the future. It was not defeat of Mr Archer, or Labour, in the true sense of the term, but victory deferred.”