1921 Auckland East by-election

The 1921 Auckland East by-election was a by-election in the New Zealand electorate of Auckland East, an urban seat at the top of the North Island.

1921 Auckland East by-election

2 December 1921
Turnout	6,621
Candidate Clutha Mackenzie John A. Lee George Warren Russell Party Reform Labour Liberal Popular vote 2,613 2,212 1,053 Percentage 38.76 32.81 15.62
Member before election Arthur Myers Liberal Elected Member Clutha Mackenzie Reform

The by-election was held on 2 December 1921, and was precipitated by the resignation of sitting Liberal member of parliament and former Mayor of Auckland, Arthur Myers.

Background

The Labour Party selected John A. Lee, the President of the Auckland Labour Representation Committee, as their candidate. Unsuccessful nominees for the Labour candidacy were Rex Mason, James Purtell and Robert Frederick Way.[1]

Result

The following table gives the election results:

1921 Auckland East by-election[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Reform	Clutha Mackenzie	2,613	38.76	-0.01
	Labour	John A. Lee	2,212	32.81
	Liberal	George Warren Russell	1,053	15.62
	Independent	George H Foster	863	12.80
Majority			401	5.94
Turnout			6,741	59.08	-24.68

Aftermath

Lee defeated Mackenzie in the 1922 election; both had war disabilities.

References

1. "Auckland East Seat". The New Zealand Herald. LVIII (17909). 11 October 1921. p. 6. Retrieved 26 December 2018 – via Papers Past.
2. "Auckland East Election". Manawatu Standard. XLIII (365). 8 November 1921. p. 5. Retrieved 25 August 2015.