AUCKLAND EAST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2350, 3 November 1921, Page 3

AUCKLAND EAST.

MR. CLUTHA MACKENZIE RETURNED.

LABOUR CANDIDATE SECOND.

Auckland, Last Night. The by-election for the Auckland East seat, caused by the resignation of the Hon. A. M. Myers, was held to-day, and resulted as follows: — Clutha Mackenzie (Reform) 2525 J. A. Lee (Labour) 2153 G. W. Russell (Liberal) .•. .1015 G. 11. Foster (Independent) 862 There are sfi absent votes, ten seamen's votes, and a few declaralion voles outstanding. [AI the general election in 191!) Hie polling was:—A. M. Myers (Liberal) 3,718, Clutha Mackenzie (Reform) 3,SCO, R. F. Way (Labour) 1,750. Mr Clutha Mackenzie is a son of Sir •Thomas Mackenzie, lie served in I lie war with distinction, and sustained such injuries as to render him totally blind. Mr Lee, the Labour candidate, also served in the war, and lost a limb.] STATEMENT BY OPPOSITION LEADER. • Wellington, Last Night. ■Mr T. M. Wilford, Leader of the Liberal Opposition, made the following statement to-night in connection with the Auckland East byelection; “The win of: Reform in Auckland East is no surprise to those who have followed closely the election. About a week ago it became clear to me that the fight had become “for Massey or against Massey,” and as a result those who voted against Massey divided their votes among three candidates, which, of course, produced the present result. Mackenzie has polled 2,525 for Reform, .and 4,030 votes have been polled against Reform that is to say, a clear majority of 1505 of the. electors have recorded their votes against Reform. And yet, Reform is successful. Clearly the repeal of the second ballot has enabled candidates obtaining a minority of votes to become members. The Hon. G. W. Russell, who carried the Liberal banner, had to suffer, I am afraid, from a ‘silent epidemic vote,’ as it is called b\ those who have been in touch with me during the contest. It. is a matter for regret, from a national point of view,-that a candidate with 2525 votes can win a seat in Parliament, while 4030 are cast against him. Time will put this right.”