THE FRANKLIN BY-ELECTION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18412, 19 June 1925, Page 8

THE FRANKLIN BY-ELECTION.

"A GREAT FILLIP TO THE REFORM PARTY."

(srxcuii to "ihb rarss.")

AUCKLAND, Juno IS,

It came as a pleasant surprise to membors of tho Reform Party last night when it was sccu that Mr MeLennan had obtained a majority at every polling place. A pleasing foaturo of tho polling was that Otahuhu, Takanini and Orua Bay, which gavo Mr Massey an adverse vote in 1922, voted solidly and strongly against tho Labour candidate. The result is regarded locally as a groat fillip to tho Reform Party. Mr Massey's minority at Otahuhu was 51, but was turned into a majority of 92 for Mr MeLennan. Otahuhu was generally regarded as a Labour stronghold, and tho outeomo of tho contest in that area ia looked upon as a signal victory for Reform. In Pukekohe Mr MeLennan secured a majority of 691 as against Mr Massey's last majority of 510. . Perhaps on no former occasion has en election been so well organised. Tho Reform supporters in the electorate rose to tho occasion. Tho district was mapped out into areas and so thoroughly organised that all voters who could possibly be brought to the polling booths recorded their votes.

Tho south -bound cxpross stopped nt tho Pukekohe Station last oveuing to enable tho Primo Minister, who was returning to Wellington, to hear tho result of tho polling. Returns were not complete at this hour, but tho figures in hand gave Mr MeLennan a majority of over 2000, Whon this news was conveyed to the Prime Minister ho expressed his delight and congratulated tho committeo on tho rosult of their labours. Ho said tho outeomo of this contest was being awaited by tho whole Dominion, and ho lookod upon it as a barometer indicating what might be expected at tho coming Goucral Election. The people had spoken, giving a decisive reply to tho opposing forces, and ho had no doubts or fears about tho result when tho Government went to tho. country at tho end of tho your.

MR COATES'S PART.

(SPECIAL TO "THE PRBSp.")

WELLINGTON, June 18,

A gentleman who happened to be in tho Franklin electorate during tho recoat contest, and who arrived in Wellington to-day, was enthusiastic about the effect of tho Prime Minister's visit. Mr Coates's frankness of manncr, his simplo directness, and his obvious sincerity, he said, made a doep impression upon all who heard and saw him. This was not confined to the supporters of his own Party, but had its effoct even upon many of those who are opposed to him in politics. Mr Coates told tho pooplo that, like tho majority of tho electors, ho himself had always been a small farmer, with a first-hand kuowledgo of tho small farmer's difficulties and troubles. That statemont at onco put him "on side" with the farmers. His frank admission that ho realised his own limitations, but that ho had tho will and determination to learn and. givo the best that was in him in the service of his country, had an equally good effect. .

MR WILFORD'S COMMENTS.

(Plipa ASSOCIATION TELEGEAM.) WELLINGTON, June 18

Commenting on the Franklin by-eleo tion, Mr T. M. Wilford said: 'The Franklin result has proved what every' Liberal elector knows, namely, that, the followers of Karl Marx cannot disguise themselves with the mantles of B'allance and Seddqn. The result shows that constitutional authority, when challenged, received the support of Reformers and Liberals alike.*'