CHRISTCHURCH NORTH BYEELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 48, 18 August 1911, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH BYEELECTION.

Mr. L. M. Isitt has been chosen by the large majority of 708 to represent the Christchurch North electors in the House of Representatives till November. The result is not surprising, for Mr. Isitt was a close personal friend of the late Mr. Taylor, adopted the latter's platform, and stood for No-license before everything. He therefore would probably obtain a large "sympathy" vote. To read his speeches one would think one was listening to his old comrade, as these passages, taken from one of his speeches, show: "I stand before you as an absolutely independent candidate. I will sign no compact; I will not put my vote in pawn to any Government. If I go to Wellington ] go free to use my own judgment and to give my vote as my conscience dictates. (Applause.) I have lived amongst tou now for thirty-eight years, and you ought to know by this time where my sympathies lie. When I first landed in the country I was a Methodist parson, and I was not allowed to take any prominent part in politics. But I had made up my mind then that I did not think much of the man who was always talking about Heaven and at the same time not trying to make this world as much like Heaven as possible." Mr. Hall espoused the Opposition cause, though he gave electors clearly to understand that he would not bind himself to follow Mr. Massey. ]f the result has any political significance, it is that the candidate more favorable to the Government policy has been returned by a big majority, against which, however, has to be set the votes that went to him because of his close association with the late member, with whose views he was thoroughly in accord.