3 DECEMBER 1927, Page 3

The figures of the Canterbury by-election were as follows :—

Sir W. A. Wayland (U.) .. . . 13,657 Colonel D. Carnegie (Lib.) .. 10,175 Unionist majority .. .. 3,482

The Unionist majority was reduced by more than 6,000 votes. The explanation generally given by disappointed Unionists is that the farmers, who are numerous and powerful in the constituency, made a dead set against the , Government. . It is very significant that the Liberal candidate is a particularly strong supporter of the League of Nations and of disarmament. The Government might make a note of this.

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