Southern Rhodesian general election, 1934

The Southern Rhodesia general election of November 7, 1934 was the fourth election since the colony of Southern Rhodesia was granted self-government. The election was called only a year after the previous election when the Prime Minister, Godfrey Huggins, formed the United Party as a merger of the conservative section of his Reform Party and the former governing Rhodesia Party. Huggins succeeded in winning a landslide, defeating all but one of his Reform Party opponents.

Franchise and Electoral procedure

No changes were made to the franchise, the procedure of elections, or electoral boundaries since the previous election.

Political parties

The Reform Party was believed by many in Rhodesia to be a left-wing party but Huggins had presented a cautiously conservative Cabinet after winning power in 1933. In particular, Finance Minister Jacob Smit was a strong believer in conventional economics and opponent of Keynesianism. The course of government led eventually to a confrontration in August 1934 with the left-wing of the party over reform to the Rhodesian railways. Huggins decided to approach Sir Percy Finn, leader of the Rhodesian Party, who pledged support for a National Government under Huggins.

However, the Acting Governor refused a dissolution on the grounds that the Assembly had many years left, and the government had not been defeated. Huggins persuaded the majority of the Executive of the Reform Party to suspend the party's constitution in order to allow a National Government on September 17, and then formed the United Party with Fynn, asking a second time for a dissolution on the basis of a changed party alignment. This time the Acting Governor acceded.

ummary result

Electorate: 27,388 (in contested seats, 25,879)Turnout: 64.6%

elukwe

Robert Dunipace Gilchrist resigned on June 30, 1935, leading to a byelection on August 28, 1935.

Eastern

John Louis Martin died on May 28, 1938 and a byelection to replace him was held on August 15, 1938.

Hartley

Following his death, there was a byelection to replace Roger Edward Downes on August 30, 1938.

References

* "Source Book of Parliamentary Elections and Referenda in Southern Rhodesia 1898-1962" ed. by F.M.G. Willson (Department of Government, University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Salisbury 1963)
* "Holders of Administrative and Ministerial Office 1894-1964" by F.M.G. Willson and G.C. Passmore, assisted by Margaret T. Mitchell (Source Book No. 3, Department of Government, University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Salisbury 1966)