The Daily News WEDNESDAY, MAY 15. THE ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 15 May 1907, Page 2

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, MAY 15. THE ELECTION.

The battle of the ballot box has been fought and—won. As was leaved, a split in the ranks of the Liberal party gave tiie verdict to the Opposition candidate, -Mr.. Henry Okey. At the outset we desire to congratulate our new representative, and the party to which he belongs, for the victory that has crowned his and their efforts'. A good light has been fought, and, although circumstances, over which the Opposition party had no control, contributed mainly towards the victory, all must now join together to assist Mr. Okey to worthily uphold the dignity of his high ollice, and also assist him to carry out the duties I appertaining to that high ollice with credit to himself, and benefit to his electorate and the colony. \.\'e trust that any bitfeyness engendered daring the heat of the campaign lias been forged ten with tin; passing of polling-day, and that victors ami vanquished will to-day meet on the common ground of political amity. A sterner struggle is but eighteen months oii', ami it is to be hoped, for the satisfaction of all concerned, thai we idmll have the wishes of the lion. Mr. Carroll and the Leader of the Opposition graiiiied—as e.'.pressed last night —in a straight-out light between representatives of the rival parlies'. Viewing yesterday's figures from any standpoint, there is no room left (or doubt that had the (ioveniincnt candidate had a straight-out light with the Opposition candidate, victory must have rested with the Liberals by a substantial majority. The chance of retaining the seat was open to considerable doubt from the t hue that it was freely rumored that Mr. Malone was making substantial headway. As we stated yesterday moi'iiling, Mr. Okey's chance of success was enhanced or minimised according as Mr. Malone cut into Mr. Dockrill's vote. Of the 4628 effective votes east at the poll, 2G37 went to the Government, and lflfll

to the Opposition. In the town and environs, 1 lie Liberal candidates polled 2001, and -Mr. Okey 000. In the country we find -Mr. Okey secured substantial majorities, gaining 1031 votes against 5711 east for Mr. Dockvill and Jlr. Malone. The great bulk of the electors have declared in favor of the present Government, lint they have defeated themselves. The peculiarity of the position is that the split in the Liberal ranks lias caused the views of the majority of the electors to be unrepresented, and indicates, as an analyst of the tigttres has pointed out, the necessity for the second ballot, or similar measure, to obtain the true representation of the

pooplf. The votes cast at the election give tlie successful candidate no particular mandate from tlie people, because, while llr. Okey greatly improved liis position in the town and environs as compared with his standing at the last general election, he polled only a few more votes ill the country, the political division in the country remaining almost exactly as it was at last election, as an analysis of the figures will show. We

do not grade Mr. Okey his victory, or tlie Opposition their victory. The Opposition worked for it, combined and loyally stood by their man; and they deserve the success achieved. We only hope and trust Air. Okey will justify the high expectations held of him; and for our own part we will only be too ready to support him in anything making for the advancements of the district, its people, and the colony.