AFTER THE ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1919, Page 3

AFTER THE ELECTIONS

CAMPANGN NOUS

An analysis qf the t«ta| votes recorded at the elections or Wednesday goes to show that the successful candidates received in all about 258,060 votes, and the unsuccessful candidates, roughly a lit kite over -that total. The number of candidates who have been returned on a minority vote is rather surprising. They are as follow: —Messrs Mander, V. H. Potter, H. M. Campbell, A. M‘ Nicol, J. P. Luke, Newman, R. A. Wright, W. R. Powdrell, W. S. Glenn, R. P. ‘Hudson, D. Jones, J. Bitchener, J. M. Dickson, and A. S. Malcolm (Reformers). M. J. Savage, W. E. Parry, F. N. Bartr.am, aqd J. M’Combs (Official Labbur), A. M. Myers, J. V. Brown, T. Wilfprd, W. T. Jennings, G. Witty, J. Horn'and R. M'OnHuni (Liberal), W. Q. Lvnsar (Independent), G. R. Sykes (Independent), and H. Atmore (Liberal-Labour). In concluding its article., the Wellington Times, which is up Opposition organ says: BWp deplore if as strongly as we condemn the fatuity of labour which has struck such a heavy blow so fatal to the democratic wellbeipg of fhe progress of own country.’ We accept the verdict of the constituencies, and we- point the moral of the great defeat endured by the 'Liberal Party. It is that, thanks to a vicious electoral system, the reactionary party for the ’first time ; o its history lis entrenched in the House of Representatives behind a strong working majority. There is but one aim now for the Liberal Party; it is the. amendment of the present vicious electoral system by the substitution of proportional representation. It is an affair of numbers. The numbers are sadly redeucod. by the political insanity of a section of the democracy,' arid the religious h)go-

try of another section. The personal defeat of Sjr Joseph Ward, pf course, is the sensation of the elections. Six months ago it looked as if Sir Joseph Ward had a great opportunity, hut he played his cards very badly, and unless we are very much mistaken his political career is closed. The. voting in Bruce is also impressive. Sir James Allen his narrowly escaped defeat, arid, in spite of his distinguished Services, it looks as if the electors had not forgotten his harsh administration of the Defence Department during the wait and the methods of some of his officers. In view of the state of the parties to-day, little more will probably he heard of the fusion proposals, hut wo still think that it would be in the interests of the dominion if Mr Massey, in the hour of victory, made an effort to win over the Liberals, with a view 'of utilising the services of the leading members of the Ministry. Ibis would have the effect of placing Labour officially into onp camp, which would be impregnable for a very long time against attacks of. extremists, apd would have security and conditions favourable to progress and development of dominion.” —Ch. Ch. Sun.

The following candidates, having failed to poll one-fourth of, tho total number of votes recorded in favour of tho successful candidates in the constituencies for which they stood, forfeit their deposits: —A. Gregory, Kaipara, 0. Lafforty, Waikato; A. H. Curtis, Marsden; J. J. Thomas, Auckland Central.; Mrs It. L. Baume, Parnell; L. J. Gnrmson, Grey Lynn; F. W. Peddle, Roskill ; B. Piggott, Franklin; T. F. Long, Thames; Mrs A. A. M. Cooke, Thames; P. Keegan, Rotorua; SET. MacDonald, Otaki; C. R. Isherwood, Otaki; P. B. Fitzherbert, Patea; G. Gardiner, Hurunui; H. G. Ell, Lyttelton; H. M Jones, Ashburton; C. Danahey, Waira rapa; G. Elliott, Wnitomo; J. Carl Avon ; J. Christie, Clutha ; N. Melntyri Mataura.