King Country Chronicle Saturday, December 9, 1911. TAUMARUNUI ELECTION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 421, 9 December 1911, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Saturday, December 9, 1911. TAUMARUNUI ELECTION.

A comparison between the figures recorded in Taumarunui electorate in 1908 and 1911 reveals a wonderful change in public sentiment. Last election Mr Jennings, in a straightout contest with an Opposition candidate, registered one of the greatest majorities in the Dominion. Now he has the experience of being vanquished by a decided majority by another Opposition candidate in Mr C. K. Wilson. The alteration of boundaries no doubt affected the electorate considerably to the disadvantage of Mr Jennings, while a large influx of population, chiefly drawn from farming districts, was no doubt an important factor in changing the face of the electorate. Still, there can be little doubt that the Government was losing ground from the time the campaign opened. Personally, Mr Jennings was the most popular man the Government could have put forward in the electorate. On all sides could be heard the remark "I'd like to give Jennings a vote, but 1 cannot possibly support his party." After the result became known very general regret was expressed that the exigencies of party politics had led to the defeat of a man who was so much esteemed, and to wham tho district was indebted for past services. In MrWilson the district has gained a member who bus already proved his grit by undertaking a campaign and carrying it to a successful issue in the face of what at first appeared to ho almost impossible odds. Tho manner in which tho contest has been conducted reflects the highest degree. o£ credit upon the elected candidate, and with a continuance of the same methods there can be little doubt that tho interests of the electors will be thoroughly well served by Mr Wilson. Undoubtedly there are "lirring times ahead of the political life of the Dominion, and the attributes which carry a man to a well earned victory in the face of heavy odds are just tho9e attributes which are an essential equipment to bear a man to the front in the strenuous party conflicts which are bound to ensue when parties are evenly balanced. We heartily congratulate Mr Wilson on his election to Parliament in a hard-fought and cleanly conducted political battle,whilereserving a measure of sympathy for a defeated member who worked hard in the interests of his electorate.