MOTUEKA ELECTION

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18809, 3 December 1932, Page 6

MOTUEKA ELECTION

The result of the Motueka byelection is the return of the Coalition candidate with a majority of 641 votes. Mr R. McKenzie, whose candidature was not regarded too seriously, polled 819 votes; It cannot therefore be claimed that Mr Iloly-

oake is an absolute majority member, though it is more than probable that had the contest been fought out between Coalition and Labour, the verdict would have been the same. The result will be gratifying to the leaders of the Coalition Party as evidence that their efforts to restore economic equilibrium, though drastic and entailing much hardship on all sections of the community, are recognised as imperative and therefore not resented. It can be assumed, further, that the Motueka electorate reflects Dominion opinion and, that being so, the return of Mr Holyoake may be regarded as an indication that the country endorses the efforts of the Coalition Cabinet - to cope with the extraordinary circumstances and problems with which It is confronted. There lias been much criticism and considerable animosity levelled against Ministers in the press and on the platform; they have been charged with bungling, jumbling and other heinous political sins, and have been urged to give place to abler and better men. Motueka’s verdict can be taken as indicating the electorates’ opinion on the views of the critics.