RESULT IN WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 279, 28 November 1935, Page 7

RESULT IN WANGANUI

WIN FOR LABOUR CANDIDATE

GAINS A MAJORITY OF OVER 1300 VOTES

MR VEITCH, SITTING MEMBER, DEFEATED

For the first time since 1911, when Mr. AV. A. Aeitch waw victorious, Wanganui is to be represented in Parliament by a Labour member, Mr. J. B. Cotterill polling 1354 votes more than Mr. Veitch, the sitting member, who appeared in this contest as a Democrat. Mr. N. R. Bain, the Nationalist candidate, came third, and Mr. Hogan (Liberal) fourth. Booths closed at. 7 p.m. and the final result was available just after 8.30. Mr. Cotterill polled more than his opponents at every booth with the exeejition of St. John’s Hill and Victoria Avenue. Mr. Bain topped the St. John’s Hill poll, and Mr. Veitch at the Y.M.C.A. A total of 9627 votes were cast at Wanganui, and of this number 3786 were recorded at the Drill Hall booths. In the Wanganui electorate there are 500 absentee votes and 202 postal votes to come. Following are the detailed results from all the city booths:

Arainoho (Methodist Schoolroom Castleeliff (Rangiora St.) . .. Castlecliff (Town Hall) .. ... Gloucester Street Gonville (Town Hall) .. .. .. Gonville Junction Gonville (Wainwright’s) .. .. Keith Street Magistrate’s Court Drill Hall St. John’s Hill Upper Aramoho (Benbrook’s) Victoria Avenue (Y.M.C.A.) .. Totals Informal votes Majority for Cotterill .. ~ CANDIDATES RETURN THANKS When the final declarations of the poll had been made the four candidates for the Wanganui seat addressed the large crowd which had assembled outside the Drill Hall and then later spoke at other points in the city where people had gathered to hear the results and watch the progress of voting in other centres. The speakers were introduced by tho Mayor of Wanganui (Air. W. J. Rogers). Prolonged applause greeted the appearance of Mr. J. B. Cotterill, who, in thanking the electors for giving him such a majority, paid a tribute to the inspiration and help provided by his wife. Air. Cotterill declared that a clean fight had been waged on all sides and complimented his opponents in the political held on the fairness which had prevailed from the start to the finish of the contest. Wanganui had paid him a wonderful tribute. The organisation which had rallied round him had been splendid. He trusted that he would prove a worthy representative for the city in Parliament and assured his hearers that they would have no regrets in electing him to the House of Representatives. Mr. Cotterill also stated that he would do his utmost to further the interests of AVanganui. Mr. Veitch Gamely Accepts Defeat “Better men than I have had to face defeat and have accepted that defeat in the spirit which a good sport should,” said Air. AV. A. Veitch. “L have much to thank the people of Wanganui for. I have had their confidence for 24 years and to-night I thank them all for the support they have given me.” Mr. A T eitch referred to the splendid help accorded him by his wife and congratulated the winner of the campaign. There was nothing so unsatisfactory as having to go to a magistrate to decide who had won when there was a majority of only two or three votes. The people of AVanganui had saved them that difficulty, however, and Mr. Cotterill had been returned by a substantial!

majority. No city was ever ruined by a change of Government. The essence of democracy was for the people to express their wishes in the balot-box. Air. A'eitch said he accepted his defeat in the best of spirits. Air. Cotterill had been elected to represent the fifth city of the Dominion and it now behoved all to forget their political differences and to stand by Air. Cotterill and help him, not crucify him. He was a young man of intelligence and common sem*« and would no doubt prove a worthy representative in Parliament. Concluding, the speaker stated that no thought was further from his mind than a grudge against those who had voted him out of office. The Mayor then called three cheers for Mr. and Airs. Veitch, which were readily responded to. Mr. Bain’s Tribute Air. N. R. Bain declared that thi«, his first appearance in the political arena, had proved a wonderful fight. The public had always given him a good hearing and he had been accorded excellent treatment by his opponents. He was satisfied that in Air. Cotterill AVanganui had a young New Zealander who would prove a worthy representative. He was also satisfied that Mr. Cotterill was a man who would work well in the interests of the city. Mr. Bain extended his thanks to all who had helped him during the eajnpaign. Mr. Hogan Says it AVas Fair Fight “I have to thank all those who assisted me throughout the campaign. The committees were not very numerous, but they worked loyally and well. I also wish to extend rny hearty thanks to the ladies, and to the Press for their fairness from start .to finish of the fight,” said Air. J. T. Hogan. “I also wish to congratulate Air. Cotterill on his excellent win. He is just about the saifie age as 1 was when you first sent me down to Wellington to represent AVanganui. I can understand and appreciate his feelings to-night. In him you will have an excellent representative. ’ ’

New Zealand would lead again. H party intended to continue where the late Richard John Seddon and his colleagues had left off and that was a firm foundation on which to build. Labour had been given the opportunity of giving expression to the th : ngs that had been near and dear to them (luring most of a lifetime. They hoped to build a prosperous nation, a nation of free people, in the southern seas. Democrats Not Discouraged The Leader of the Democrat Party, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, thanked the electors for the support given to his party. They were not discouraged or perturbed by the result of the poll He extended his congratulations Io thf Labour Partv on its success

Bain. Cotterill. Hogan. Veitch. a) 46 449 38 i<r> . 30 156 h 86 27 263 14 10.1. 5j 216 24 94 . 18'2 499 43 396 41 15.1 16 .111 . 40 203 .15 140 .■ 121 bi i 85 388 .. 22 38 1 33 . 784 1563 194 1226 . 131 71 5 119 30 150 -•) (3 70 9 4 21. 117 ——— — .. 1579 4433 487 3079 —— - ■ • — 49 1354