BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 33, 9 June 1915, Page 3

BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT.

THE BY-ELECTION CONTEST. I'EH Jt'KEBS AUSOCtATION. Auckland, .June 8. The election for the Hay of Islands' seat, rendered vacant by the disquali-, ficiition of .Mr Vernon Reed, resulted as follows : ~ I STKWAHT (Government) ;«>9(i I MKNXIKS (Opposition) 22U) ■ Majority lor Government 880' | The returns at the elections in December were:— Reed 'Government) ... 2-52 S Dr. Buck .Opposition) ... 2220 Wilkinson (Government) -•• J•">7o THE PRIME MINISTER GRATIFIED. Speaking to a Daily News reporter in regard to the by-election, Mr -vlassey s;ii<l he was naturally pleased and gratified at the return of the Government candidate, Mr Stewart, *at the Buy of Islands, by such a substantial

majority. "What lias taken place in this election goes to prove that we have the confidence of the electors, which I thoroughly appreciate," added Mr Massey. "J said before that I should h:i,ve preferred that these elections were left to the candidates, but when'misleading statements are made by prominent men of one side they must be replied to, much as ! deprecate the intrusion of party politics at a juncture such as this. The signal victory achieved by the Reform candidate at the election is a complete answer to the adverse and personal criticism that the Government has been subjected to in'several quarters. - " SIR JOSEPH WARD'S VIEWS. Peu I'bebb AHSOOIATION. Auckland, June 8. Sir Joseph Ward arrived here to night from Whangarei and Ray of Islands. '.Referring to the result of the by-election, be said he accepted the verdict of the electors philosophically. His party lias fought a hard, fair fight, and Mr Menzies bad done the best he could in a huge electorate in the limited time at. his disposal. Sir Joseph declined to make any statement on the political situation until after Tauniartinui had been decided.