THE AUCKLAND EAST ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1921, Page 4

THE AUCKLAND EAST ELECTION.

The result of the poll in connection with the Auckland East hy-election on Wednesday was practically a foregone conclusion so far as Mr. Clutha Mackenzie was concerned, though it was not expected that -the Labor candidate (Mr. Lee) would score so well with two other candidates in the field. The fact that Mr. Mackenzie was only defeated by a small majority at the last general election, and the certainty that there would be a large number of votes practically wasted on two of the other candidates, rendered the forecasting of the result comparatively easy. Whatever chance of success Mr. G. W. Russell might have had was dissipated by his action over health matters in Auckland during the epidemic. The Independent candidate (Mr. Foster) was never in the running, and it is quite possible he received more Votes than he expected. That the successful candidate does not represent the majority of the electors is matter for regret, and affords another illustration of the indefensible “first past |he post” law. At the same time tho electorate has secured a very worthy and deserving member who bids fair to be of greet service to the constituency and the country.