GENERAL ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1925, Page 1

GENERAL ELECTIONS

DECIDING THE TIE

The “Lyttelton Times” commenting on the two ties in the polling for Lyttelton and Westland. says it is a matter of precedent that, in the event of a tie, the easting vote should he given against innovation. Snell a course leaves the matter open, and it is followed in Parliament for that reason. But. ill the ease of Lyttelton ami Westland precedent cannot he said to apply. Each election is a thing apart. The representation of any constituency comes to an end when Parliament is dissolved .and the electors must elect a new member. The retiring member's term has definitely finished. and he stands in exactly the same position as any other candidate for political honours. The question of innovation does not enter into the malter, and the returning oHirer is free to indulge his personal predilections in the easting of the deciding vote. A certain amount of sympathy naturally, will go out to those who have failed to secure election, but- that h*mU not l>e allowed In overshadow the important issue at stake, and that is that the will of the majority must prevail, ft is not a question of procedent, hut of the maintenance of a fundamental principle of self-govern-ment— the right of the majority to rule, 'file personal (dement is quite secondary. Tn some respects it could even he said that the final result from the personal standpoint is not of the first: importance. But, what is of the greatest importance is that the will of the majority of the electors in these two eonsl itmmeies should he ascertained beyond all |<>-si!,i|itv of doubt. position of parties.

By the decision in the Westland and Lyttelton contests on Wednesday there are alterations made in the state of parlies as previously announced. By the. decision in these two contests, Lahour lost two seats, and the Nationalists and Reformers each gained one. making the present position:—. Reform 50 Nationalists P_’ Labour 11 Independent 1 If these figures are sustained. Labour will not occupy the position of official Opposition in the House—a position which it appeared to have secured on Nov. 4 th. SOUTH EltX MAORI CONTEST. CHRISTCHURCH. Nov. 19.

Allegations of the easting of illegal votes at the recent election are made hy one of the candidates lor the South-, ern Maori Klee!orate, Mr Titilii .McDonald, of Levin, who probably will take the ease to all Electoral Court. There are live grounds on which Mr McDonald declares that various votes east are illegal. They are as follows :—-

(1) Several persons voted though they were under age. (2) Half-caste voters acre also on the Eurnneaii roll, though, it was illegal lor hall-castes to he on two rolls.

t.'f) The descendants ol half-castes, hy Europeans, are not supposed to vote in a Maori election, hut several did

Cl) Natives from other electorates voted in the Southern Mauri elec-

(5) Other Native- had voted though they had no legal right to do so, as they came within the criminal clauses of the Legislature Act. .Mr McDonald dm lares tlml he knows ol .”,(1 OI IP \ot es that will be alle.ted, and that would probably affect. the result, as the majority for Mr I'm was only Id. lie mentioned that Ml t lie previous clod inti, the laic Mr W. Uni heat the late Mr I’arnla by three votes on all official recount. hut there were then numerous illegal votes and Mr I’arata eventually won by four