THE TARANAKI SEAT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3766, 18 May 1907, Page 3

THE TARANAKI SEAT.

Mr Okey’s Victory. Me E. Gallichan, secretary of the Liberal and Labour Federation, in the course of a conversation with a representative of the N. Z. Times last evening said it was certainly incorrect to say that feeling in the electorate about the Land Bill secured Mr Okey’s return. The Land Bill was but little in evidence ; certainly not more than other subjects. Mr Okey’s return was due to his relations with the prohibitionists. “Examine the returns and you will find this to be true,’’ said Mr Gallichan. ‘ ‘At the general election Mr Okey polled 1715 votes. There were about 10 per cent, more voters at the by-election, so it is reasonable to say that Mr Okey improved his position by 446 votes. How were these made up ? Taking New Plymouth (including Moturoa and Fitzroy), Mr Okey improved his position by 236. Mr Bellringer, a prohibitionist, secured at the general election 531 votes in the town, and it was from these Mr Okey gained his increase. It is only in some of the country districts where a heavy vote was cast for no-license, and Mr’ Bellringer “scored,’’ that we find Mr Okey Increasing his vote. In places were the prohibition element is non-existent—and indeed where it was said the settlers were to a man against the Government’s Bill —the results show that Mr Okey didn’t hold his own as compared with the general election when there was no Land Bill. “For instance take Koru. Mr Smith, in 1905 polled 17. At the by-election Mr Dockrill, 18 ; Mr Okey polled 24 and 20 respectively. At Tataraimaka Mr Smith’s figures were 4. On Monday Mr Dockrill got 4 votes. Mr Okey’s record is 38 and 36. At Warea and Warea-rd, Mr Smith had 8, Mr Dockrill 19, Mr Okey 68 and 62. At Upper Kent road the Liberal vote rose 9 ; Mr Okey’s declined 1. These figures show that in the country districts the Land Bill had little or no bearing on the election. Mr Okey owes his success to the prohibitionists and to Mr Malone splitting the Liberal vote. One of his supporters said that the only way they could get the seat was to keep an Independent in the field.