Ted Howard Labour Robert Macfarlane Labour The 1939 Christchurch South by-election held on 3 June was caused by the death of Ted Howard during the term of the 26th New Zealand Parliament.

[1][2] When Howard died on 26 April 1939,[3] the electorate was thus regarded as a safe seat for Labour.

Macfarlane could increase the Labour vote at one polling booth only (Antigua Street in Sydenham).

[10] Macfarlane stated that in his belief, about 2,000 Labour Party supporters did not vote because the outcome of the election was a foregone conclusion.

[11] This view was disputed in an editorial by The Evening Post, arguing that the reduced Labour support is due to Howard's popularity that Macfarlane does not possess despite many high-profile politicians having campaigned on Labour's behalf, and that it is more likely that National supporters have suffered from apathy, as Lyons never had any hope of winning the election.