TARANAKI ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 14, 11 October 1918, Page 6

TARANAKI ELECTION

MR. S. G. SMITH ELECTED

MAJORITY OF 160 VOTES

Br TelcETapli.-FrCE? Association. New Plymouth, October 10. The Taraiiaki by-election held to-day evoked considerable interest. The result was as under:— Sydney 6. Smith (Democratic ,Labour) .• 2840 J. B. Connett (National Government) 2680 In 1911 the majority of the late Mr. Okev (Reform) was 754, and in 1914 1131..'

The voting at the election in 1911 was as under: — H. J. H. Okev (Reform) 3632 D. J. Hughes "(Liberal) 2498 The new member is a son of the late. Mr. E. M. Smith, M.P.,fo'r Tarannki for several-years, and well known for his work in connection with the development oi the Tarannki ironsand deposits. Mr. S. G. Smith is in the railway service, and has occupied prominent positions in theA.S.R.S. He lias been a political aspirant for several years past. In his election speeches Mr. Smith .criticised the administration of the National Government, particularly on account of its failure to keep down the cost of living, and condemned the profiteering which, he al&ged, merchants havo been carrying on. The Reform Party, hq argued, was "a spent force," and the Liberal Party has been "snowed up" by the Ikffo'rmers, while the National Government had outlived its usefulness and' lost the confidence of the country. Sir Joseph Ward, with alibis gifts, lacked some essential qualities as a leader. Mr._ Smi'th advocated an early general election, and predicted that after it there would be greater changes in the personnol of the House than after any previous election in New Zealand's history. From the election /?*U\\d emerge, ho contended, a vigorous democratic party, composed chiefly of young New Zealanders, who would adopt a progressive policy.. Mr. John S. Connett, the National Government candidate, is ti son of Mr. J. B. Connett, who occupied the position eff chairman of tho New Plymouth Harbour Board for a very long period. Mr. "Jack" Connott'is a farmer, chairman of the Tarnnaki County Council, and ono of the best known public men in the northern part.. of the province. Mr. Connett, in his public addresses, gave general support to the National Government, but did not commit liimstjf to approval of all its actions, and he took as the main plank of his platform the motto, "Win the war first."