HUNTLY’S LABOUR VOTE.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17219, 30 September 1927, Page 6

HUNTLY’S LABOUR VOTE.

The first returns favoured the Reform candidate (Mr A. 11. Waring), and he quickly assumed a substantial lead, though Mr Lee Martin was obtaining a solid vote, while a good measure of support was forthcoming for the Liberal candidate. At Ngaruawahia the Labour candidate obtained a slight majority over Mr Waring and he received wonderful support in the mining districts, getting praclically a block vote. Tlie heavy poll of GS9 votes at Iluntly for Labour, with the next highest figure of only 119 for Reform, definitely turned the scales in Mr Lee Martin’s favour and the Reform candidate’s votes at other centres were insufficient to offset the Huntiv poll. The Liberal candidate (Mr T. Parker) polled well at Raglan and Tuakau. There was a steady flow of voters at the Ngaruawahia booth all day from 9 a.m. onwards until time expired at G p.m. and a substantial vote was recorded. There were about 8200 on the electoral roll, this figure being some hundreds in excess of last election. The returning officer (Mr F. R. Watters), Ngaruawahia town clerk, had a busy time but the arrangements were excellent and results came to hand with commendable promptitude. Scrutiny with lie commenced this afternoon. The official count will probably begin, on Monday. Unusual interest was evinced throughout the eleclorate in (he result of (tie election, and a solid vote was cast. Apart from a by-election issue, the poll assumed a Dominion-wide importance, many preferring to regard tlie result as an indication of what measure of support tlie Reform Party i.s likely to receive in the next general election. The issue was extremely doubtful all through and tlie support accorded the various candidates flickered and wavered in a manner whicn bore testimony to uncertainty on the part of electors. A forecast of the result was impossible from the beginning, owing to the divergent views held on the merits of the respective candidates. Wide interest has been shown in the by-election, and its importance spread to many centres outside of the electorate on account of the prominent politicians who participated in the campaign.