THE GOVERNMENT WIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 197, 24 September 1909, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT WIN.

A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY. THE RANGITIKEI ELECTION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Huntervillc, Last Night. The second ballot for the Rangitikei seat was taken to-day. With two small returns to come the totals are as follow: - iSniiith (Oovierument) .. .. 2404 JHockly (Opposition) .. .. 2005 Number of votes polled .. .' 4409 Majority for Smith .. .. 399

FIRST BALLOT. The result of the first ballot was as follows: I'. F. Hoekly (Opposition) .. 1648 It. W. Smith (Government) .. 10.15 Win. Mcldrum (Government) .. 903 Jus. licurgetli (Independent Lib.) 340 It. E. llurnblow (Lib. and Labor) 3:13 Xunibr of voles polled .. •• 4179

L'KEVRJUS Mi.abl.iS. AL the l'JOti elcctiun the voting fur Uiu Uangitikei seat was:— A. K. lluniingtoii (lluveruinent) '^23S K. W. Smith (Independent Lib.) 2083 At the IUOS election the votes were recorded as follows: A. E. Remington 3410 J. K. Soraerville HOC In 19U2 the voting was:— A. E. Remington •• •■ .. 13y91 3y9 i\V. J. llirch H»2 M. J. Rcardon »37 K. E. llornblow 358 J. Smith .. .. - •• u9 AFTER THE BATTLE. MINISTERS INTERVIEWED. I'almerston N., Last Night. The Acting rrcmier, who left Huntervillc during the afternoon, stayed tonight at i'almerston. He was interviewed by a Jlanawatu Times reporter on the result of the Hangitikci election. "The fight is over," he said. "It was a true party struggle. The real infighting was carried by the several candidates iu° the first ballot, and in the second ballot stood faithfully to the Liberal cause. The presence of Ministers in the second stage of the contest was vo impress it with the significance of party and to place their case before the electors). We accept their verdict." The Minister for Agriculture (Mr. T. Mackenzie), who had come to meet Mrs. Mackenzie at Palmerston early in the afternoon on her return from England, was also interviewed by the Mannwatu Times, and said: "I cannot help but be pleased with the result. Although the tight has been a strenuous one, it has been conducted on the most hiniimiiMe lines on both sides. I attribute the victory largely to a recognition on the part of the electors' that the Government is honestly striving to do Us very best in the interests of the country. Wc nre attacking large and difficult problems, and the encouragement we have received will stimulate us in our efforts. I am particularly pleased with the support \vc have received from the farmers, because I take it as a recognition, among other things, that the Agricultural Department is striving on practical lines to advance their interests, not only in the dominion, but also in the marketing of their produce in other lands."

ATTACKS ON THE ACTING-PREMIER. MR. HUTCHISON'S TACTICS RESENTED. Palmerston N., Last Night. The Manawatu' Times' special correspondent, in referring to the result of the election, sfays that one of the features of the contest was the nttaeks made upon the acting-Premier by Mr. George Hutchison, who retired in favor of Mr. Hockly in the first ballot ami assisted Mr. Masscy's campaign throughout the second ballot, Mr. Hutehisoii from several platforms declared that Air Carroll's choice as acting-Premier was' a reflection on the white men in the Cabinet. Mr. Carroll and other Ministers on a visit to the electorate ignored these attacks, but wherever Mr. Carroll went to-dav and yesterday electors came to express their resentment of the tactics employed and charges made against him.