LABOUR VICTORY

Evening Star, Issue 22458, 1 October 1936, Page 3

LABOUR VICTORY

MANUKAU SEAT RETAINED 4,411 MAJORITY FOR CANDIDATE [Pzr United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 30. Labour retained the Mannkau seat at the. by-election to-day, when the Government candidate, A. G. Osborne, was returned with a majority of 4,41 l over the National Party candidate, F. TV. Doidge. The result of the voting was:— A. G. Osborne (Labour) 8,241 F. W. Doidge (National) ... 3,830 Majority for Osborne, 4,411. The number of votes cast was slightly lower than were recorded at the general election last November. To-day a total of 12,100 electors exercised their votes, compared with 13,384 at the general election, when Air Jordan gained 70.22 per cent, of the votes cast. Air Osborne to-day polled 68.10 per cent, of the total votes recorded. There are 174 absentee votes and 370 postal votes yet to come. There were 17 polling places in the electorate, and Mr Osborne obtained majorities at 15 of these. [At the general election last November 13,384 electors voted, Mr Jordan receiving 9,345 votes, Air H. J. Wiley (National) 2,943, and Mr H. Thomley (Democrat) 1,020. Air Jordan’s clear majority over both opponents was thus 5,382. In the 1931 election Air Jordan had a majority of 3,394 votes over Mr S. Rickards (Coalition Reform), the total votes cast being 11,408.] POLICY ENDORSED MORE THAN PERSONAL WIN Loud cheering by the large crowd which had congregated outside the Onehunga Post Office greeted the announcement of the final result of the poll. The appearance of the two candidates in the front porch of the post Office was the signal for even greater applause. Addressing the crowd, Air Osborne said ho wished to express his sincere thanks to the people of Alanukau. The issue before the people of New Zealand; so far as his election was concerned, was whether the people of Alanukau endorsed the policy of the Government or not, said Mr Osborne. “ The result proves conclusively to me, and I believe to the whole of New Zealand, that the people of Alanukau are desirous of having more legislation of the kind already passed by the Government. I do not look on this victory as a personal one.” “ I join yon in hearty congratulations to Air Osborne,” said Air Doidge. He said his party had- managed to reduce the Labour majority by about 1,000 votes. CLEAR ENDORSEMENT [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 30. “ If the result of the Alanukau byelection is not a clear and emphatic endorsement of the Labour Government’s policy and the practice of it since assuming office, then I am no judge of the political feeling of this country,” said the Prime Alinister, Mr Savage, to-night. “ The figures tell their own story. There wore fewer votes against the Labour candidate on this occasion than against Air Jordan at the General Election. If any person likes to look on such a result as a hollow victory, then he is welcome to such rejoicing.” Air Savage said the interest appeared to be outstanding, in view of the fact that a by-election never aroused such interest as a general election. It should not be overlooked that the successful candidate was making his first appearance in the electorate, although he had proved an able campaigner in another Auckland electorate. Aloreover, Air Osborne followed Air Jordan, who was one of the oldest, most skilful, and best-liked members of the Labour Party in the Dominion, which emphasised the appeal of Air Jordan and the Labour Party in the district. LABOUR SHAKEN IN STRONGHOLD. “ The poll provides evidence that the electors of Alanukau have some misgivings as to the wisdom of the Government’s policy,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Air Forbes). The result was a foregone conclusion, added Air Forbes. An examination of the figures recorded at the General Election last year was interesting, as they showed that Labour then received 9,345 votes. There were then two candidates opposed to the National Government, and the poll against that Government was 10,365. At the byelection the vote against the National Party was 8,241, apart from absentee votes to come. The National Party had therefore received an increase of nearly 900 votes over the vote in 1935. “ It is true the Labour Party has elected its candidate,” said Air Forbes, “ but it is also evident that the support of Labour in one of its strongholds has been shaken, in spite of the almost frenzied appeals from the Prime Minister, his party, and the Labour Press for a majority greater than Air Jordan’s. The electors of Alanukau have not yet had time to feel the full effect of the Government measures in increasing the cost of living and in restricting personal liberty.”