THE POLITICAL FIGHT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3392, 6 December 1911, Page 5

THE POLITICAL FIGHT.

MR. MASSEY’S ASSISTANCE.

MAY SECURE PARNELL.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETINC. [TEH PRESS ASSOCIATION.O AUCKLAND. Dec. 5. An ovation immoderate in its enthusiasm , was tendered to the Leader of the Opposition and its candidate for Parnell by a huge meeting of Parnell electors to-night. The meeting was one of the most enthusiastic among political gatherings in New Zealand. Many were unable to gain admittance to the Hall Discussing a letter addressed to Air McNab bv the Hawke’s Bay shareholders in the Mokau Co., Mr. Massey said the letter was so cunningly drafted that it was almost impossible to found! a libel action upon it. He asked for a definite charge, and that the men who signed tlie letter should say where lie had told falsehoods. Either they must prove him wrong or take their chance in the Supreme- Court. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried amid cheers for Messrs Massey and Dickson.

THE WELLINGTON SEATS. OPPOSITION MAY AY IN ALL SEATS /SPECIAL lO TIMES ] WELLINGTON, Dec. 5. AYellington is agog with excitement over the political and licensing crisis, now at its height. As far as the elections are concerned, there is every indication of a big revulsion of feeling against the present administration, and it is thought that if the Government is not actually displaced at Thursday s polls, tlie Opposition will come back very materially strengthened by a class of men a good deal superior intellectually to those being put forward by the Government. A noticeable feature too, is the Large number of bond slaves of the Ward Administration who arc claiming in their election speeches a large measure of independence. As far as Wellington is concerned there is a good chance that the Opposition will win all five seats. Mr A. L. He roman is certain to be re-elected for AYellington North, and Mr R. A. AVnght may •lie accounted quite safe for AYellington South. In AYellington Central still fio-ht is being fought between Air F. M. B. Fisher, and Air Robt. Fletcher, the chairman of the Harbor Board. The popular opinion is that the result will be in Air Fisher’s favor at the second ballot by a small margin. Air W. ±l. 1> Bell is the favorite for AAellmgton Suburbs. He is the son of Mr H. Bell KC. and grandson ot bir J< ianois Dillon Bell, at one time AgentGeneral for the Dominion. Air Bell, who is fighting two Government c. didates, Alessrs J. P. Luke an ~ ./A. Fitzgerald, is easily the best speakci of the trio, and has the making of a statesman. An interesting contest fm AYellington East should see All D Ale Laren (Labor) and Dr. Newman fight out tho final issue at the second haffot. I should say that Dr. Neumian vffi uni, hut it will not he by much. Air L m. AA'ilford (Government) is pretty safe to ho returned for the Hutt.

CANTERBURY SEATS

-F.VERAL SECOND BALLOTS WILL BE REQFIRED.

1 SPECIAL to TIMES I

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 5 It is perhaps a quite natural state of affairs, but one striking feature of the present election campaign is the confidence of practically all the candidates, and with the final shots to be fired tomorrow, one cannot help uondcimg where the defeated candidates are to come from. , ~ In Christchurch itself most attention has been directed to the contest for Christchurch North, between Mr L. M. Isitt and Mr J. D. Hall -There is a third candidate m the field Mr J. E. Petheriek. but his chance _ can hardly be regarded seriously. This electorate mar be regarded as a Reform party stronghold in Christchurch, and at the bv-election in August it was canvassed verv effectively, but Mr Hall was beaten bv some 700 votes. He will probably improve his position on this occasion but I am inclined to think Mr Isitt will retain his seat. The contest for Christchurch East scorns remarkably open. Mi • *** !>avev, sitting member, has two strong opponents in Dr. Thacker and .It Hiram Hunter. The latter is a prominent Labor leader, and is sure to take a number of votes that at the last election went to Mr Davey. Dr. Thacker is prosecuting a vigorous campaign, and according to latest reports ,y,ll secure a large proportion of the Roman Catholic vote It seems inevitable that there will be a second ballot here, and in that event Dr Thacker may wm. For Christchurch Smith Mr H. G. Ell Government whip, has also to reckon with the opposition of the Labor candidate, Mr G. R. Whitting, who is a man of considerable popularity Mr Ell however, has been very mindful of his' electorate’s requirements, and though lie will be harder pressed than at last election, he will probably win. again. , , , Tlie fight in Avon has been marked by some bitterness, as between Mr G. \y "Russell, the sitting member,_ and Mr J. McCombs, who is a prominent member of the Prohibition party. This district, it is worth noting, is very nearly a No-licen.se electorate, as the last alteration of its boundaries has taken one of its two hotels into Kaiapoi. There are two other candidates, Mr J O Jameson, of the Reform party and Mr W. R. Smith, standing in Labor interests. Mr Jameson made his appearance in the field very late, and this will prejudice his chance, though he has shown considerable improvement since bis opening address. Mi- Smith stood three years ago. but made a very poor showing, a,nd_ he is not considered as likely to bo in the final result, in which Mr Russell s chances seem better than Mr McCombs. When the campaign opened the Hiecton seat seemed absolutely safe for Mr G. Witty, but he is finding stronger opposition than he expected from JVn C. H. Ensor, Independent, and Mr It G. Sullivan, Labor. Mr Ensor 5 s friends are very confident, and bo is certain to force Mr Wittv to a second ballot, in which event the sitting member will probably be successful. For Lyttelton tliere Is a straight out fight between Mr G. Laurenson, the sit_ ting member, and Mr Colin Cook, vho Is a prominentl member of several local bodies. Mr Laurenson was returned bv a sweeping majority last election, and Mr Cook is not nearly a strong enough opponent to 1 bring the balance in bis favor. Ho is by no moans an effective platform speaker, whereas Mr. Laurenson is. , . . -»«- The Ellesmere seat looks safe for Mr R . Heaton Rhodes, and the same may

bo said, of Selwyn for Air C. A. C. Hardy, the Opposition whip. The contest in Kaaapoi is interesting, as the Hon. D. Buddo is once more being opposed by Mr R. Mooa-e, vbo gave him eueli a close call three years ago, and tliere is a third candidate, Mr J. H. Blackwell, who is standing mainly because the Prohibitionists are dissatisfied with the Minister’s attitude in regard to their demands. His '■ rose rice will make matters more difficult for Air Buddo. who will have to face t he ordeal of a second ballot, and in that ev r ent ho will have all his work cut out to beat Mr Moore. At Aslibnrton Air AY. Nosworthy, the present Opposition member, is being opposed by three Government supporters, so he is certain to head the first ballot.

For Huranui there are only two candidates, Mr G. AV. Forbes, present Government member, and Mr D. D. MacFarlane, a well-known sheep farmer, who is standing in the Opposition interest. Air AlcFarlane is personally popular in tho district, but Huranui lias been consistent in its support of the Government for some _ years past, and Air Forbes should retain Ms seat.

WHAT THE REPORTERS MISSED.

PREMIER’S VOTE OF CONFIDENCE WHICH NEARLY WENT ASTRAY.

[ran muss association.] INVERCARGILL, Dec. o. Owing to the confusion .at the conclusioiiii o.f "Sir J. Ward's AVinton meeting last- night, tho reporters wore unable to ascertain who moved the vote ot thanks and confidence. On enquiry today it was found that the motion was duly proposed and: seconded, and that the'Mayor declared it earned on a show of hands.

SIR JAMES CARROLL. ENT H USIA STIC ALLY RECEIVED IN THE SOUTH.

[ran muss association.] ASH BURTON,. Dee. 5. The Theatre Royal, which bolds athousand at a pinch, was badly overcrowded to-night, when Sir James Garroll addressed one of the finest, most orderly and most quietly sympathetic political meetings over held m Ashburton. The stage and passage-ways were all filled, and a considerable number ot people bad to be turned away. \bo Mayor presided. and Sir J. Carroll was received with long and continued applause- After paying personal tributes to Mr. Nosworthy and Air. Hardy, Sir James said be proposed to deal with the political principles and parties, leaving personalities to Air. Massey and bis friends. Too much time was wasted m casting reflection, he said, upon the integrity of public men in thus country. (Applause.) He proceeded tq contrast the Government and Opposition, and said that on the one hand was constructive policy, embracing, bold, grappling with problem* that are still perplexing other lands, and on the other hand nothing hut obstruction and destruction. He instanced the attitude of the Opposition towards the advances to settlers and closer settlement legislation, m proof of his assertion. The fact that the Liberal party held the confidence ot the people for twenty years, and had survived the fire of criticism, was prod positive that the Govermcnt was doing its duty satisfactorily. \A hat had the Opposition to offer as against the achievements of the Government.-' .Nothing hut shreds and patches ot the Government policy, which they had picked up, adorned, and presented as a new policy. He had carefully read Air Alassev’s manifesto, just issued, and found that, after twenty years of effort the Opposition had made the discovery that the land was given by the Creator for the sons of men to cultivate—(laughter)—but there was no practical suggestion of how this was to be done. \ssuredlv it was not by land monopoly, or bv denving facilities to settlers to obtain land and capital The Opposition platform was all shadowy, and the only definite thing in it- was the optional freehold, but he pointed out that this was part of the Government policy which included purchase of freehold occupation with right of purchase, and six other forms of tenure. He outlined the cardinal features ot the Government’s financial, defence, humanitarian, and public works poliev. his remarks being frequently applauded. Referring to the local political situation, be quoted figures of last election to show that the Liberal voters were m a majority. He did not presume o advise whom they should elect, but he desired- to see tJie principle of majontj. representation carried out in tins and every other electoral district. Ho Inimorouslv compared the four Ashburton candidates to horses m a race, there was the favorite who had formerly von the stakes, and who woluld doubtless win' the first heat; there was tho old horse, still going strong; a promising voung colt trying bis paces, and a darkhorse, and dark horses had a trick of winning. (Applause.) He would mfriime the Gaining Act or the law against bettering bv advising has hearers to “have a bit on.” (Laughter.) He hoped, however, that whichever _ horse carried the Government colours m the final; run off. he would have united support of tho rest of the stahl . (Laughter and strong suppcrtive apAt the clo«e n motion, thanking Sii James Carroll for his address, and exnressiim- confidence in the Government was carried, by acclamation without dissension, Sir James being enthusiast.call'- greeted and cheered when ho rose to reply. __