THE FATEFUL DAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3392, 7 December 1911, Page 5

THE FATEFUL DAY.

GENERAL ELECTIONS.

WHAT WILL THE POLL TELL?

A FORECAST

NAPIER SEAT SAFE

TO TIMES. J NAPIER, Dec. G. The election is one of the quietest ever known in Napier, very little interest being taken in it, the result being looked upon as a foregone conclusion. Mr. .J. Vigor Brown is generally reckoned upon as being returned with anything from 1000 to 2000 majority over Inspector Hill. The contest for the Hastings seat is keen, all five candidates expressing confidence in their candidature. The general belief is that Messrs. H. lan Simson and H. T. Campbell will be in the second ballot. Good support is also expected to lie accorded Messrs Eustace Lane arid A. L. D. Fraser. Of course Mr Fraser may beat Mr Simson tomorrow. Mr G. Spencer Ciapham, the Labor candidate, is not expected to do much. There will he a close and very interesting contest for Waipawa. Mr Jull’s prospects have increased materially of late, the Liberal party, which was rather divided at the outset, having become united in their support of him. Still Mr Hunter is a very strong man.

INDEPENDENT FvLR. LUKE

ASKED TO STAND DOWN BY THE PREMIER.

[pep. press association.j WELLINGTON, Dec. G. Mr. J. P. Luke, was asked last night how lie would vote on a no-confidence motion, and according to reports published this morning he said that about a fortnight ago the Premier had sent for him, and asked him to stand aside for another candidate. He had absolutely refused, and considered the proposal an insult to him after the services he had rendered to the country and the city. He would vote t-o remove the present Government from office, and fill their place front men elected to represent the Liberal party in Parliament, but he wanted it clearly undestood he would not vote to put'Sir Joseph Ward out for the purpose of putting Mr. Massey in.