1962 Buller by-election

The Buller by-election 1962 was a by-election held in the Buller electorate in the West Coast during the term of the 33rd New Zealand Parliament, on 7 July 1962.

1962 Buller by-election
7 July 1962 (1962-07-07)
Turnout11,691 (79.40%)
 
Candidate Bill Rowling Ernie King P. H. Matthews
Party Labour National Social Credit
Popular vote 5,242 4,846 1,566
Percentage 44.98 41.58 13.44
Member before election

Jerry Skinner
Labour

 Elected Member

Bill Rowling
Labour

The by-election was caused by the death of incumbent MP Jerry Skinner of the Labour Party (and a likely future leader) on 26 April 1962.[1] The by-election was won by Bill Rowling, also of the Labour Party (and a future leader).[2] The Social Credit candidate P. H. Matthews was also the leader of the party.

Date

The initial date of the by-election announced by the Prime Minister Keith Holyoake was 21 July, contrary to expectations it would be early to mid June, by extending the time allowed for the issue of the writ in order to coincide with another by-election in Timaru. The Leader of the Opposition Walter Nash criticized the decision saying it was a "nullification of democracy" and motivated to place the election after the budget to allow the government to spend its money electioneering.[3] The Social Credit Party were also critical of the decision claiming National were frightened following its decreased majorities at the recent by-elections in Hurunui and Waitaki.[4] The decision to delay was later threatened on legal grounds by the Labour Party who challenged it in the Supreme Court.[5] The government backed down and changed the date to 7 July.[6]

Candidates

Labour

There were several names put forward as potential Labour nominees for the Labour Party candidacy:[7]

Rowling was chosen after winning a ballot of local party members at a meeting of party members in Murchison.[8][9]

National

Two people sought the National Party candidature.

  • Ernie King, a stud stock specialist from Appleby who was National's candidate for Buller in 1960
  • Mr C. M. Robertson, a company manager from Westport

King was chosen as the National candidate after winning a ballot of members at a members in Motueka.[9]

Social Credit

The Social Credit Party chose P. H. Matthews as their candidate. Matthews was leader of the party and had contested Buller in both 1957 and 1960.[9]

Campaign

The New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation announced there would be no pre-election addresses broadcast in the by-election but would have full coverage of the polling results.[10]

Results

The following table gives the election results:

1962 Buller by-election[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Bill Rowling 5,242 44.98
National Ernie King 4,846 41.58 +5.58
Social Credit P. H. Matthews 1,566 13.44 -1.36
Majority 396 3.40
Informal votes 37 0.32
Turnout 11,691 79.40 -12.70
Registered electors 14,724
Labour hold Swing

Notes
  1. Wilson 1985, p. 234.
  2. Wilson 1985, p. 232.
  3. "Buller By-election Delayed Till July". The Press. 26 May 1962. p. 12.
  4. "Criticism of Move - Social Credit Reaction". The Press. 26 May 1962. p. 12.
  5. "Court Action Suggested on By-election Delay". The Press. 30 May 1962.
  6. "Date for Buller Poll Changed - By-election Now to Be Held on July 7". The Press. 31 May 1962.
  7. "By-election in Buller - Possible Labour Nominees". The Press. 7 May 1962. p. 12.
  8. Henderson 1981, p. 68.
  9. "Candidates in Buller By-election Chosen". The Press. 21 May 1962. p. 12.
  10. "No Broadcasts By Candidates". The Press. 30 May 1962.
  11. Norton 1988, p. 204.

References
  • Henderson, John (1981). Rowling: The Man and the Myth. Auckland: Fraser Books. ISBN 0-908620-03-9.
  • Norton, Clifford (1988). New Zealand parliamentary election results, 1946–1987. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington Department of Political Science. ISBN 0-475-11200-8.
  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
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