THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 165, 18 December 1914, Page 4

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S VIEWS. By Telegraph.—Per Press* Association Auckland, December 17. Interviewed this morning on the poll tieal situation, Sir Joseph Ward remarked that it had developed in an unexpected way since yesterday. The parties were now even. "This'," added the Lender of the Opposition, ''makes the course which the Government should take quite clear. I take it that the constitutional position mils', be followed. Hie Government are now in an actual minority in the House, as they must mu'ssurily nnnoint a Speaker. There I- therefore one of two courses that must be adopted by the Government. Either they must resign or they must call Parliament together without any unnecessary delay, as at present it is'quite clear that the Governor is without constitutional advisers wlm have the confidence of the country and the House. That is a position that cannot be maintained or trifled with. Apart from this there is considerable doubt as to the position of the Northern Maori member, who is at present included as a Government supporter in the counting of party votes." THE POSITION AT HASTINGS. Hastings, December 17. Although the returning officer refuses to give any information it has leaked out that at the Council Chambers' booth 100 of McXab's votes were wrongly credited to Campbell. McXab also gained a furthere five votes. Another re-count is proceeding, and the final official declaration will not be made until this is completed. It is rumoured that several irregularities are known to have occurred. The candidates' fates is still very uncertain. I>R Mc.XAB'S WARM WELCOME. Hastings, Last Night. Dr McXab received an ovation from liis supporters upon his arrival from Wellington this evening. A crowd of admirers took the horses from tile carriage awaiting him, and, amid great 'cheering, the vehicle in which Dr McXab was seated was pulled through tihe town. From the balcony of his old committee rooms he delivered a tactful and generous speech. He could not say whether ther« would be another election or not, but he felt confident that when Parliament met the leaders would he able to evolve a condition of things that would enable the business of the country '\u b.> carried on. He emphasised that administration could not be continued by an/ party that had not the confidence of the country. The Returning Officer is still busy wilih. the roll, apparently satisfying hini'self that everything is in order. When seen late, this evening he stated he had no information for the Press, further than that lie had to make his official declaration on Saturday. ANOTHER RECOUNT. Dunedin, Yesterday. Mr Statham has applied for a magisterial recount for Dunedin Central. THE WAIPAWA SEAT. Dannevirke, Yesterday. The official return for the Waipawa seat is:— Hunter (G) 3252 Jull (O) 3144 Mr Hunter secured 82 absentee votes and Mr Jull 100. There were. 90 informal votes. RE-COUNT IN WELLINGTON EAST. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. McLaren has lodged an application for a magisterial re-count of the votes polled in the Wellington East election. THE WAIRAU SEAT. Blenheim, Last Night. The final result of the Wairau seat gives: McCallum 3517 votes, Duncan 3148, Turner 25, and 109 informal. THE OAMARU SEAT. Oamaru, Last Night. The final figures for the Oamaru seat arc:—Lee 3408, MacPherson 3070, informal 99. THE TIMARU SEAT. Timam, Last Night. The official figures arc: —Crnigie, 4308; Smith, 3108; informal, 80. Licensing.—Continuance, 3088; Nolicense, 3407. "REFORM" ORGANISING TOR ANOTHER FRAY. Dunedin, Last Night. A meeting of supporters of tlie "Rcfenn" Party in Dunedin and Port Chalmers, was held to-night, when it was decided to form a branch of the Political Befonn League. THE TAUMARANUI SEAT. Mr JENNTNG'S MAJORITY 198. The final recount of votes for the above electorate was made on Wednesday, the result giving Mr Jennings a substantial majority. Owing to indisposition, the Returning Officer was at the finish unable to act, and Mr Hodgl<ins, Deputy Electoral Orffcer, took charge. Messrs Tlios. Buchanan and Mr J. Cochrane were scrutineers for Mr Jennings and Mr Wilson, respectively, and the hitter's Te Kuiti friends were very disappointed when the complete returns were furnished, showing their candidate to recede. The scrutiny prior to the inclusion of expeditionary and absentee votes showed Mr Jennings 3828, Shortlnnd 32, Wilson 3080, thus giving Mr Jennings a lead of 142, which was sixless than the last result, telegraphed. Of the absent voters, Mr Jennings received 25, Mr Shortlnnd 1, Mr Wilson 10. The expeditionary force gave Jennings 136, Shorthind 2, Wilson 95, thus giving Mr Jennings a majority of 198. Needless to say, the result was received with delight by Mr Jennings' numerous friends, and during the past few days he has received over 300 congratulatory wires. Mr Jennings left for home yes'terday morning overland, and expects to reach AVaitara on Saturday afternoon and proceed home by the, mail train. The member for Taumaraiiui Ims had an exceedingly strenuous time for the past three months, and no doubt will feel that 'he deserves to hivo a spell until after the holidays prior to making himself conversant with the immediate requirements of the largo district which he lepresents.