THE ELECTIONS

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 18 December 1914, Page 2

THE ELECTIONS

SINCE our last issue the General Elections in New Zealand have been fought and won, by a very narrow and almost unworkable margin of two for Mr Massey. Thus, the Ins that were in are still in, while the Outs that were out are still out, and yelping to think they have failed to score just two or three more, Liberals or Red Feds, it didn't- matter whjsh, so long as Sir Joseph ;Ward got back into power again. The climax has caused many soi-e^ heads, and while the Masseyites are flattering themselves somewhat on the touch-and-go narrow majority, the other side live in hopes of better luck next time. The final returns give the following:— Government ... . 41 seats Opposition 32 seats Labour 7 seats In Dunedin Central the Labour candidate has a majority of only eight votes, and it is stated that a recount may be demanded. A petttion against the return of Dr Newman for Wellington East has been lodged. Mr Massey has a stout heart and is not the one to give in readily if his forces were ever so weak, providing always he has a bare majority. At an interview in Wellington on Monday, he said : " Naturally I should like to have had a larger majority. But we have the satis j faction of knowing that the Reform Party in Parliament is as solid as a stonewall, and when we look back and think of the forces and the weapons that were used against us the wonder is that we did so well. No statement was too wild, no slander too vile, to be hurled at the Government candidates. Fortunately most of them have been answered by the votes of the electors where the positions were understood, but by a great many electors the falsehooods were believed." Of course, many things may happen betweeirnow and the first session of the new Parliament. "Are there any rats about?" the ECHO may well ask. As it is, the Opposition press, which so readily relegated the Government forces to oblivion and prognostic ated things so happily for their side of the political feud, now climb down just handsomely without having so much as a kick left or a word to say. That is where the ECHO (don't flatter us) had a pull ; it was quite neutral —IN PRINT.