RANGITIKEI SEAT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9603, 24 September 1909, Page 4

RANGITIKEI SEAT.

THE SECONDBALLOT, k \ MR SMITH RETURNED. By Telegraph—Press Association.' HUNTERVILLE, Sept. 23. ; : , • The second ballot in connectionwith the Rangitikei seat was held- ™ to-day. With two'small returns to come in. the totals are : Mr Smith 2,404 . , Mr Hockley 2,005 The returns that are to come in cannot effect the result. "A TRUE PARTY STRUGGLE/* MINISTERS INTERVIEWED. By Telegraph—Press Association. ' PALMERSTON N., Sept. 23. Z The Acting Premier, who left Hunterville during the afternoon stayed to-night at Palmerston. "& He was interviewed by a "Manawatu Times" reporter on, the result of the Rangitikei election. . >, ;,"The fight is over," he said, was a true party struggle. The. real fighting was carried out by the several candidates in the first ballot, who in the second ballot stood faith* fully to the Liberal cause. The presence of Ministers in the second , stage of the contest was to impress / it with the significance of party ' *nd to place their case before the , , I electors. We accept their verdict." The Minister for Agriculture (Mr '.' j T. Mackenzie), in an interview, said: J "I cannot help but be pleased with' -a the result- Although the fight has, $m been a strenuous one, it hasbeen ducted on the most honourable lines on both sides. I attribute-the vietory largely to a recognition on the *H| part of the eleclora that the Govern- Hj ment is honestly striving to do its W very best in the interests of the B country. We are attacking large arid >fl difficult problems, and the encouragernent we have received will '..; I stimulate us in-our efforts. ' lam. particularly pleased with the sup-' . .-, ' port we have, received from the' ; farmers, because I take it as a' recognition, among other things, '-„; that the Agricultural Department is £ striving on practical lines to advance ' % , their interests not only in the Dominion but also in the marketinf«bf' ; thdir products in, other lands."- ■ "Frum a Parliamentary point of/ view," Mr Mackenzie added, "it is also gratifying to know that the. ■ candidates who stood were all men of ' flj high character, capacity and ability." H