The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, NOVEAIDER 14, 1908 ELECTION PROSPECTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2348, 14 November 1908, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, NOVEAIDER 14, 1908 ELECTION PROSPECTS.

After hearing Air. Lissant Clayton give his second address in Ilis Majesty’s Theatre, wc are not surprised to learn that his supporters are fully satisfied with the progress of his campaign, for the Opposition candidate has evidently made considerable improvement in . platform methods since his first appearance. Possibly lie dwelt too much on the- inconsistencies of one of his opponents, for these were so palpable as to carry their own condemnation, but for the rest Ins speech was an able exposition of the Opposition policy.. There can be no question for those who believe with us that the Opposition is more worth j' of support than the Government, but that Air. .Clayton is entirely callable of representing their view.:. He has a first-class grip of the chief political questions of the day, and is obviously sincere in his support of Air . Massey's programme. For the matter of thatjrit may bemadded that Gisborne el eet-srS'Vt'eMortunate in having on offer three candidates who represent very accurately the three chief parties in the public life of New Zealand at the present time. The sitting member, the Hon. Air. Carroll, stands for the Government with all its merits and likewise its defects. It is a party which relies mainly for its support on past achievements, and it is significant that Air. Carroll’s committee, in frawifig Ids advertisements, has out of the misty past such 'enactments as the Truck Act, which was on the Statute Book while most of the present day voters were at school as a reason why lie should be supported. . At the same time the pax’ty in power, for reasons not always entirely creditable to itself, has a big advantage in electioneering, and it can be accepted as certain thatMr. Carroll will register a very heavy vote, though, in all probability, considerably less than he polled at last election. The exposure of the part taken by himself in the grazing runs case was a heavy blow, whilst the awakening of the public to the fact that the district is suffering from its neglect by Parliament, together vm i a growing dissatisfaction with governmental- methods are all factors which •will tell heavily against the sitting member., Mr. George Darton represents quite as ably the socialistic element. It is true ho has an evident dislike of the term, but his own utterances are quite sufficient to show that his sympathies are entirely with thoso misguided individuals who uelieve that the wildest theories can safely be introduced into the political life of this country. His support is likely to bo ta’ken chiefly from that section of workers who are in the habit of seeking special representation for their individual interests- instead of recognising that class legislation can never benefit any community. Air Darton has made- a bold endeavor to capture the No-license vote, but it is extremely unlikely that in this respect he will gain any advantage- overAlr. Clayton, who, whilst refraining from obtruding a non-political issue into liis speeches, has nevertheless let it be known that he is also- in favor of abolishing the open bar. The Opposition candidate is certain to poll strongly in the country districts, where it is- generally recognised tliat the Opposition, has a better conception of the farming .interests than has the Government, and he seems likely to secure also a very fair proportion of the town vote. The contest appears likely to be a particularly interesting one, and the three candidates seem to, be ’each assured of substantial sup- j port. It is generally believed that the sitting member will be head of the poll on the' first Ballot, but it is extremely unlikely that die will secure an absolute' majority of the votes polled l , and l with a second ballot it is quite on the cards that the combination of opposing interests- may be strong enough to give Gisborne a change of representation in the new Parliament.

“A SefVjL. t, fidWml the Native Alinister. A middle-aged Bl*m, a for 111 *“ 0, usual m aEfevlnr'jW? Police-Go ur t yesterdayl morning •beßjfe Air I' • vv . Raich, J.P. Tenders will be received at the Public Works Office, To Karaka, until noon on Saturday, December sth, for the erection of postmaster’s residence, Wa.iniro Bay.«s» “They profess to/mvpv the woofers with tlieii/>iMmt]is (/wJs«JhjffJ / uearts are far Lissant Clayton, resent administration in hrg'speech in the theatre last night; Air. T. Downs, psychologist, will lecture in Townley’s Hall to-morrow night, at 7 o’clock, his subject being “Spiritualism, the Religion of the Future.” . “Wo want the raidVay p ward as ragi&ly not merely at fcpcyMqMßfctfeFe. ’ remarked Air. ClaytcflL/ during his political sptmch fast evening in the theatre. Tlie subjects- at St. Andrew s Church are advertised as usual. In the evening, at 7 o’clock, Rev. Air. Grant’s subject is “An Indictment of the Liquor 'Trade on Scriptural Grounds.” The services at the Wesley church to-morrow will bo conducted by Air Frazer in the morning, and Air A. JBlack, of Auckland, m the evening. Young People’s Bible Claes wil attend the United Meeting at Whin ray’s Hall in the afternoon. Air. Griffin holds service at AVaimata in the morning. ~ , “The Native Minister greatly objected to the. of oivaifcfant of a gjgypa 4' l ivn ¥lff*' bannon'Wjli ears, -a nik-fixth ose oi Iris colleague, the Minister for Lauds, and found a ready .response. —Mr. Clayt-on in His Alajesty’s Theatre oast night. . The meetings at The■ Army Citadel to-morrow will be conducted bv Adjutant Dickens, assisted by Captain Jenkins, and a number of Salvationists. The services will be ■partly of a valedictory nature, as Captain Jenkins, the assistant officer, is about to leave Gisborne for other fields of work. * At the Baptist Tabernacle ] tomorrow morning. Air. A. J. -Biacn., of Auckland, will be the preacher. In the evening Rev. W. Lamb will preach on “The Drink Business, the Great Enemy of. Labor, Religion, and the Home.” Labor men and socialists are specially invited to be present. The newly-formed orchestra will accompany the singing. “It is un-British and unfair that a Chinaman, a brown man ij:. or any Asiatic live aniP»tJn whoJ^^kxtTcf^vT'ai e living are denied privilege. 1 say it is axffiame, let _us give fair play to the Alaoris.” —Air. Clayton at the* Theatre, last night. A Wellington Press Association telegram states that mere imniigiants are expected to arrive ill Nov Zealand bv the Ruapehu and Papanui this month. The former steamer is bringing 27 assisted passengers, with a declared capital of £172. T' Papanui lias on board 148 assisted immigrants. The declared capital of the Papanui’s pasengers, exclusive of nominated passengers is £SOOO.

The number of Hadies exercising their votes at the election to be held this month was commented on at the meeting the other night, but through inadvertence no mention was made or the ladies getting tracing wheels for fourpence each this week at Parnell s Saturday Sales, fourteenth inst. only.