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Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1931, Page 4

Although there are some notable defeats. in yesterday’s, polling, and the results of some seats are still in doubt, due to the number of absent and postal votes still to count, the result in the aggregate gives, the Government practically a two' to one majority in the new House. The Government strength was from late last night at 52, while the Opposition and Independents totalled 28. There were notable defeats jn the fall of Mr D. .Tones, Minister of Mines and Agriculture, who is supplanted by a Liberal; also the defeat of Mr Taverner, ex' Minister of Public Works in the United Government, ethers , to go are Messrs Waite, Munns, Lysnar, McDonald, Samuels and others. Mr A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands in the Coates Ministry, is returned, and fte : might replace Mr Jones in tlie Alin-

istry. There are some notable Labour victories including Messrs Schramm, Coleman ami others, while Mr Martin, Labour, was defeated and supplanted by Mr JRejd, a supporter of the Government. Labour gained on the whole five seats. The Reform strength was also increased, while the United party lost some adherents. The Independents did not- fare very happily and the Country party still remains a party of one. As referred to above the trend of events politically will probably be something of a permanent fusion with the anti-Labour parties, unless there is more direct co-opera-tion on the part of the Labour party in assisting to overcome the difficulties besetting New Zealand art present. The pnjrty leaders were' head'd over the air last night. The Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) had to face a hostile audience at Wellington and was heard with difficulty, but he spoke on bravely and acknowledged the Government victory. Mr Holland, Leader of the Labour party, was heard in comparative quiet, and wa.s grateful for the increased vote for Labour. Later in the evening, Mr Coates spoke from Dargaville through Wellington, and was heard quite clearly. Like Mr Forbes he was in an optimistic mood, and spoke of the determination to carry on the work of the Government for the benfit of New Zealand.