EX-SOLDIER M.P.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1921, Page 4

EX-SOLDIER M.P.

AUCKLAND EAST BY-ELECTION MR. MACKENZIE RETURNED LABOR LEADS LIBERAL.) By Telegraph—Press Association. z Auckland, Last Night. The poll in connection with the byelection for Auckland East, rendered necessary by the retirement of the Hon. A. M. Myers, took place to-day. The Reform candidate (Mr. Clutha Mackenzie) headed the poll with 2525 votes and Mr. J. A. Lee (Labor) was second with 2153, giving Mr. Mackenzie a majority of 372 votes. There are 56 absentee- votes, 10 seamen’s and a few declaration votes outstanding. Details of the voting are:— Mackenzie (Reform) ... • 2525 Lee (Labor) 2153 Russell (Liberal) .............•. 1015 Foster (Independent) ... k. ...... 862 Majority for Mackenzie ......... 372 Mr. Mackenzie, who is a son of Sir Thomas Mackenzie, contested the seat at the general election, when he was beaten by a small majority, polling surprisingly well against such a prominent and esteemed citizen as Mr. Myers. Mr. Mackenzie, who is a young man, served, during the war, in which he had the grave misfortune to sustain, wounds which resulted in the complete loss of his sight. He is an able speaker, with a wide range of knowledge, and a close student of politics. In recent years he has shown in many remarkable ways how the tragedy of loss of sight may be overcome, and amongst his tasks in the latter years of the war was the editing a New Zealand soldiers’ newspaper in London. STATEMENT BY MR. WILFORD. - VICTORY ON MINORITY VOTE. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. T. M. Wilford, Leader of the Opposition, made the following statement to-night in connection with the Auckland East by-election: “The win of Reform in Auckland East is no surprise to those who have followed closely the election. About a week ago it became clear to me that the fight had become ‘for Mr. Massey or against Mr. Massey,’ and as a result those who voted against Mr. Massey divided their votes among three candidates, which of course produced the present result. Mr. Mackenzie has polled 2525 votes for Reform and 4030 votes have been polled against Reform. That is to say a clear majority of 1505 of the electors have recorded their votes against Reform and yet Reform is successful. Clearly the repeal of the second ballot has enabled candidates obtaining a minority of votes to become members. The Hon. G. W. Russell, who carried the Liberal banner, had to suffer, I am afraid, from the silent epidemic vote, as it is called by those who have been in touch with me during the contest. It is a matter for regret from a national point of view that a candidate with 2525 votes can win a seat in Parliament while 4030 are cast against him. Time will put this right.” CHARGE AGAINST CANVASSER. Auckland, Nov. 2. Reference was made last evening by Mr. Clutha Mackenzie to a charge of alleged misconduct on the part of a canvasser wdrking in Auckland East, made by the chairman of Mr. Foster’s meeting the previous evening. The chairman said that a Reform canvasser ascertained which way women were voting and failed to register those voting against Mr. Mackenzie. Mr. Mackenzie said the charge was largely unjustified, although it was true that about six enrolment forms had not been accounted for. It was through no deliberate plan on the part of the canvasser. She was a woman of integrity, whose name and long war service was sufficient guarantee of her honor. Of the missing forms four had been those of his supporters and two of his opponents' supporters. The canvasser in question had promised to forgo her vote for the Government party to minimise the loss, so that the speaker had lost more votes than his opponents. The loss was occasioned through circumstances quite out of her hands and, if negligence could be proved,' he was anxious to probe the matter full’’