ELECTION ECHOES.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1922, Page 5

ELECTION ECHOES.

THE WAITOMO SEAT. MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY SOUGHT. VOTES IN DISPUTE. (By Wire—*’Special to News). Auckland, Last Night. A magisterial investigation of some disputed votes in the Waitomo election has been applied for by 'Mr. W. T. Jennngfi on statements furnished by his scrutineer. These votes can only be determined by a magistrate. The trouble has been occasioned by the remissions of some deputy-returning officers in not carrying out instructions. In previous contests for the seat Mr. Leach applied for a magisterial recount, but was not successful. Mr. Wilson, who was also defeated for the seat by Mr. Jennings, petitioned to upset the election and Mr. Jennings was unseated on a technical point, but he beat Mr. Wilson in the bye-election. The number of votes in question between Mr. Rolleston and Mr. Jennings is two dual votes and ten absent and declaratory votes. LABOR’S ATTITUDE. NOT YET DECIDED. By Telegraph.—Press .Association. Wellington, Last Night. Up to the present the attitude that Labor will take in the event of Parliament being called together at the end of January has not yet been determined. No meeting of the Parliamentary Labor Party will be held before Christmas, and it is possible the members will not assemble until a week before the session opens. At the moment, Labor claims to be the official Opposition. One thing is certain, namely, if Mr. Wilford moves a vote of no-confidence in the Massey Government he will be supported by the Parliamentary Labor Party. What course Labor will follow in the event of Mr. Wilford forming a Ministry remains to be seen. This is one of the points which will have to be decided by the Parliamentary Labor Party when it meets.