LYTTELTON BY-ELECTION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 636, 14 September 1933, Page 4

LYTTELTON BY-ELECTION

There is no possible way in which the public can avoid recognising the significance of the Lyttelton by-election. Viewed entirely from the personal standpoint, Mrs. McCombs' victory is a remarkable performance, showing most clearly that she possesses the respect and confidence of the electors. But the figures are eloqu'ent of something wider and more deep-root-ed than the personal popularity of the candidate. Mr. McCombs at his most successful election never equalled his wife's victory. In fact, at the last election the figures were: McCombs 5404, Freeman 5372. This year Mrs. McCombs has lifted this small majority of 32 to the astonishing margih of 2600, and all the sympathy and popularity due the candidate could not possibly have accounted for the remarkable swing over in the electorate vote. The result must certainly be taken as a most emphatic illustration of the growing dissatisfaction with the Coalition Government. At the same time, it must not be too readily taken that Mrs. McCombs' victory is a definite swing toward the Labour policy. As southern press ! reports indicated some days ago, the feeling in the electorate

was not so much in favour of Labour as it was anti-Govern-ment. Although the big guns of the Coalition did their level best to counteract this feeling they were unable to succeed, and the result must force upon Messrs Porbes and Coates a recognition of the unpopularity of their administration. It must be admitted thajt the Government has had to face very difficult times and that a measure of unpopularity was only to be expected, but the Cabinet's lack of effeetive initiative has bred up hostility which cannot be further disguised. So far as the Parliamentary balance of power is concerned the position of the parties will not be altered as Labour has merely retained the seat. But the demonstration of public opinion should not be wi|h>out influence upon, future Government action.