Arthur Richards, who was first elected to represent Roskill for the Labour Party in 1931, died on 5 August 1947. This triggered the Mount Albert by-election, which occurred on 24 September 1947. Warren Freer was the candidate for the Labour Party, and J. C. Garland was the candidate for the National Party.
Freer obtained 56% of the votes and was successful.[1] Richards had urged Freer (who had stood for Eden in 1946 election), to stand for the safe Labour seat of Mt Albert when he died. Freer was only 26 and relatively unknown to executive members, but local supporter Dick Barter convinced Peter Fraser that his work in Eden was adequate apprenticeship. Freer recalled two inspiring byelection speeches by Martyn Finlay and Mabel Howard, and was staggered when his majority was close to that of Richards in 1946, rather than being well below (as for most byelections).[2]
Freer, Warren (2004). A Lifetime in Politics: the memoirs of Warren Freer. Wellington: Victoria University Press. ISBN0-86473-478-6. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
Norton, Clifford (1988). New Zealand parliamentary election results, 1946–1987. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington Department of Political Science. ISBN0-475-11200-8. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
