FIGHT IS BETWEEN LABOUR AND UNITED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18946, 17 December 1929, Page 10

FIGHT IS BETWEEN LABOUR AND UNITED.

ALL PARTIES HAVE MADE BIG EFFORTS. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, December 17. The Hutt by-election, which will be decided to-morrow, may be regarded as a very open event. All sides are confident, and the Labour Party has excelled itself not only in the number of meetings addressed tfy many Labour members, but by lavish advertising. Labour appears to be particularly anxious about the result, as it feels that in the present state of polites it is taking a position less prominent than United and Reform. The fight lies between Mr Nash (Labour) and Mr Kerr (United), and from the appearances Labour ought to win However, a factor impossible to assess, but likely to be important, is that many Reformers in past elections have been voting anti-Wilford by supporting Mr Nash. In this contest, Mr Johnston will secure their votes, and if Labour gets a bad disappointment this will be the main reason. The deciding factor in the issue is the Petone voting. Meetings in this area have been obviously in favour of Labour or United, but the Reform candidate has done well in Lower Hutt and the outskirts, and should make a creditable showing to-morrow, though coming last on the list.