The Daily News WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18. MR. OKEY'S VICTORY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 278, 18 November 1908, Page 2

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18. MR. OKEY'S VICTORY.

Tin 1 victory achieved by Mr. 11. Okey in 1 this electorate yesterday was so 1 sweeping as to leave no room for doubt. ] and we have to congratulate him on securing such a signal vote of eonlid- 1 enet? from tin 1 el"ctors. While no doubt many circumstances worked to secure liiui so heavy a support, it would be idle to advance them as reason for the rejee- i tion of the other candidates, Mr. jieilringer and Mr. Malone. We do not believe tiiere was an elector in Taramwi who yesterday morning could honestly liave allinih.l his opinion tiial no second ballot wnuhl be necessary. We ascribe Mr. Okey's victory first and foremost to tire satisfaction of tii" electors m general with the manner hi which he has carried out his duties as a member of Parliament during the last two ses- . sions, and a consequent desire to 'let well alone." Then no doubt the dairying regulations hardened up the farming vote. Another and very evident contributing factor must have heen an almost united support '.from the no 4 license section. That was so proved that the vote, which it was generally believed would follow the foremost rolieense leader in the electorate, M \ llellringer. practically deserted him. H only proves again, as has been many limes demonstrated in New Zealand, that the no-)i<cnse vote is not to be relied on as a reliable FacLor m tvie electoral poll. The fact thai Mr. Oko-y secured the vote, however, is sufficient /warrant that th<r no-license people consider the question is safe in his haads. Although we did not support Mr, Okey, we do not in the least grudge him Us .victory, feeling that, as in the past, he will prove an industrious and conscientious member, with an eye continually on the requirements of his electorate. In conclusion.nve can honestly congratulate the winner and the vanquished on j the friendly <pirit hi which the election has been fought. Nothing has been said or done to occasion any bitterness, and the political opponents and factious of yesterday can meet as friends to-day. Each of the candidates has fought a good fight, and while two have been disappointed, 'aono has done anything of which he might he ashamed. Circumstances that were not apparent on the surface have given the -wi7mer su h .a victory as even he himself could not have anticipated, and not even his op poirents grudge him the fruits of victory.