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Two candidates contested the seat. The first was Charles MacMillan, a former Mayor of Tauranga (1915–1917. MacMillan represented the Reform Party and was put forward by the party to succeed Herries.[3] The other candidate was Sir Joseph Ward, a former Liberal party Prime Minister.[4]
The Labour Party took a keen interest in the by-election. Leader Harry Holland was fearful that Ward's return to Parliament might result in a revival of the Liberals, delaying Labour's rise as the main left-wing party. As a result, he sought to stand a candidate to split the anti-Reform vote. He was overruled however, by the party executive citing the lack of any established branches within the electorate and the possibility of a poor showing by the candidate damaging party morale and credibility.[5]
Result
MacMillan won the by-election;[6] Ward's defeat was humiliating to him.[4]
MacMillan remained as Tauranga's representative until his defeat at the 1935 election.[6] Ward was thought to be a spent force,[4] but he was returned to Parliament again in the 1925 election,[8] and then went on to become Prime Minister again in 1928.[9] He retired in 1930, and died soon after.[4]
