Much-Wooed Electors

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 634, 10 April 1929, Page 1

Much-Wooed Electors

NORTHLAND’S CAMPAIGN Political Feeling Runs High (SUN’S Special Reporter.) OHAEAWAI, To-day. SO far as campaigning is concerned the Bay of Islands byelection is over and the stage is set for one of the most interesting minor political contests yet held. The candidates, Mr. H. M. Rushworth, the official mouthpiece of the farmers and Mr. Allen Bell, a long-standing friend of the district in progressive roading and public works undertakings, have made their final attempt to woo the political affection of the scattered electors, and all that now remains is the vital round-up to the poll when over 9,000 people will have an opportunity of voting.

in history have the people in the Far North been flattered by so much attention. Ever since the beginning of the General Election campaign six months ago, they have been closely watched and pampered with promises of redemption from their parochial difficulties by two potential legislative saviours—Mr. Bell and Mr. Rushworth—neither of whom has relaxed in the tedious task of visiting every nook and cranny, every Public Works camp, and every wayside settlement in the huge electorate. As a thousand votes are to be marshalled north of Kaitaia, the candidates courageously headed north almost to North Cape, Mr. Bell camping with Dalmatians and others on the Public Works jobs, and Mr. Rushworth doing much overtime in a cheap but efficient motor-car. TIRED BUT CONFIDENT Unassisted by any party leaders but are confident 1 of success today. Mr. Rushworth professes indifference to the result, and says be is fed up, but belies t|his indifferent attitude by his subtle warning to the people at his public meetings that they are paying too much attention to local politics and are giving too little regard to the national progress. He i seeks development of the Air Force and also promises reduction of taxation to benefit farmers. This reduction, he says, would be “squared in the State Treasury by an increase in income tax. Mr. Bell is boisterously confident, and has thrived physically upon his tour. At several of his meetings, however, he showed a little wavering in his assurance by reminding electors of his work, and adding if they rejected his services at the by-election there would be a weeping and gnashing of teeth throughout the district. BLACK EYES AND SORE NOSES The generation of election temperament at Kaitaia over the week-end caused several free lights which produced black eyes and swollen noses, while a sporting offer of 100 votes in is made here to-day by venturesome Bell supporters. In his final address to nearly 300 people at Ohaeawai last evening, Mr. Bell made no apologies for discarding general politics and concentrating upon the Northland’s self-reiiant development policy of the past 15 years. More money had been spent on Public Works in this district in the past six years, he claimed, than had been spent here in the previous century. Mr. Bell claimed to be the pioneer of an entirely new system of Parliamentary representation, in that he had visited the whole of his far-flung

district every year, not with electoral ear-tickling and Ministerial eye-wash to get people to vote right, but with genuine interest in the people’s affairs. DALMATIAN’S BENEDICTION The meeting was enthusiastic for Mr. Bell, who was warmly received and cheered. An amusing finish came to Mr. Bell’s meeting when a tall Dalmatian rose in the back of the hall, eulogised Mr. Bell in a few sentences of broken English, and then solemnly, and with a sweeping gesture above the heads of the audience, gave the candidate his most pious blessing. Mr. Rushworth spoke at Russell tonight, and as a final invitation to support, apologised to the electors for his harum-scarum rush through the district, hut promised a comprehensive inspection if returned to Parliament. HEAVY POLLING FINE DAY AND DRY ROADS MR. BELL’S ALLEGIANCE (Special to THE SUN) OHAEWAI, To-day. A fine day, giving- dry road access to the booths, has ensured heavy polling to-day. Both candidates will be at Kawakawa this evening, where feeling is running high. Mr. Bell reiterates his allegiance to Mr. Coates and says he would be a miserable coward to desert his leader now. LAST ELECTION VOIDED AN EXCITING CONTEST The events following the General Election in the Bay of Islands were almost unique. On the morning following Mr. Rushworth was leading by 66 votes, with 350 absentee votes to come. These and further checking reduce the lead to one. Then another five votes came to hand, two being for the leading candidate and three for Mr. Bell. The returning officer gave a casting vote for Mr. Bell. Then the Country Party demanded a magisterial recount and the decision was: Mr. Rushworth 3,820, I Mr. Bell 3.818, Mr. Hornblow 349. Mr. Rushworth took part in the emergency session of Parliament, but in the meantime an elector lodged a petition, and an election court with two judges sat at Kaikohe, and the result was that the election was declared void. This finding was anticipated, and the two candidates were already making ready, for a fresh campaign.