Leaders’ Views

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 163, 30 September 1927, Page 1

Leaders’ Views

(THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. “rpHE result of the Raglan by-elec-tion is due to vote-splitting on the part of those opposed to the policy of the Labour Party,” said the Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, to-night. “The aggregate of *the votes cast against the successful Labour candidate shows that the great majority in the electorate is definitely opposed to the principles and policy of the Labour Socialists. I feel sure that one result of this contest will be to consolidate the forces in the community which are definitely opposed to the platform of the Labour Party.” • • • TVCR. HOLLAND expresses quiet satM isfaction at the result of the Raglan poll and welcomes the advent of Mr. Lee Martin to the House as a valuable asset to the Opposition. • * * ‘TT was one of the cleanest eontests I have taken part in,” said Mr Ho’land. “It was quite free from personal attacks and was fought on principles.” He claimed that the disappearance of the late Mr. Bollard s 3 000 majority showed dissatisfaction with the Government and the election of Mr. Lee Martin, a farmer, disposed of the bogey that the Labour Party was inimical to the farmer. CIR JOSEPH WARD sees in the © election result one reason why the first-past-the-post system should be abolished. While this existed there would always be an e.ement of uncertainty, so long as several candidates went, to the poll. He averred however that the Raglan result showed clearly a desire for a change of government, which he anticipated would become more manifest by the General Election next year. He would have welcomed a Liberal victory, but he was content to believe that Mr. Parker, if he desired to pursue politics, surely would have his day.

CANDIDATES’ SPEECHES

(Special to THE SUN.) NGARUAWAHIA, To-day. When the result of the election was announced at Ngaruawahia, the returning officer’s headquarters, the successful, and defeated candidates ad-

dressed a large crowd which gathered outside the Town Hall. Mr. Lee Martin, who was greeted with enthusiasm, thanked the electors and all those who had helped in his campaign. The verdict could be accepted as a vote of no-confidence in the' present Government, while also it might, serve to inform the Prime Minister that the electors disapproved of his tactics in the election. He congratulated the other candidates on the manner in which the aW% &a* **MIMHS WM MM i§

fight had been conducted, without recourse to personalities, and he assured the electors that he would do his utmost to serve the interests of every section of the Raglan community, so that next year his efforts would warrant an extension of his term. Messrs. Waring, Parker, Taylor and Magner also returned thanks to their supporters, and warmly congratulated Mr. Martin. ...aila <Continimtf on Fag* »*)