WELLINGTON NORTH ELECTION

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16147, 27 February 1918, Page 6

WELLINGTON NORTH ELECTION

A FORECAST FOR TO-MORROW

(SPECIAL TO "THE TRESS."! WELLINGTON, February 27. A big meeting in the interest of the candidature of Mr J. P. Luko, tho National Government candidate for the Wellington North scat, was addressed by Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward in the Town Hall to-night. The hall was overcrowded, and there was much noise. This meeting, though noisy, was not discouraging to the Government. The noiso was mere hooliganism, and it was evident that four-lifths of the big crowd was with tho Government. Good fighting speeches were delivered by botii loaders. Mr Massey had to bear the worst of the clamour, but tho chairman and he ordered stern measures in dealing with interrupters, and this helped. Later Sir Joseph Ward declared unequivocally for tJio National Government and Mr Luko. Thoro seems to bo no doubt that Mr Luko will win on Thursday. He may havo quite an easy win. It is impossible to assess tho weight of some votes which Mr Harry Holland will get. Ho has with the greatest cunning workod to get the votes of women who may be dreading tho taking away of sons or husbands to the war. If open declarations mean anything, the women are not to be caught with this bait, but ono may reasonably havo fears about what they may do in the polling booths. Mr Brandon will poll few votes, but his candidature has mado for disunion and some demoralisation in tho Government ranks. If ho were to stand down now, many of his supporters would not. vote for Mr Luke. Tho National Government candidate lias been the only one with a good working committee, and Wellington North has boon worked by them aB never before. Ihe members of the committee are all full of confidence. Mr Holland has had to rely on meetings which are deceptive as to strength. On Thursday night tho ordor will probably be—M r Luke first, Mr Holland second, Mr Poison and Mr Brandon about equal, far behind.