ROOM FOR SIR JOHN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1217, 28 August 1911, Page 4

ROOM FOR SIR JOHN.

« , WHERE WILL BE STAND? Tho announcement that Sir John Findlay will face the electors came as a general surprise to members of Parliament. A few months ago it was pretty widely believed that ho had made up his mind to seek an entrance to tho Lower House, but the news cf his knighthood arrived before the assembling of Parliament, and those who canvassed the opinions of members on the point gathered that they were fairly unanimous in holding .that his acceptance of a title had diminished whatever chances ho may have had with the electors to such an extent that he would indubitably prefer not to take tho risk.. Even now, there arc members sceptical enough to f:\ncy that, despite the detinite announcement made on board the Kuapehu, tho Attorney-General may, after all, decide to remain in the comparatively inglorious security of tho Upper House. Most Parliamentarians, however, have been eagerly asking each other what constituency will be selected for the new knight. Governwont supporters do not appear to be rushihg him with offers of their seats, and from tho talk of Iho lobbies it is a fairly clear conclusion that for the Attorney-General, or tho Prime Minister, to ask, and merely ask, even the most loyal supporter to relinquish his claim upon tho least sccure seat will not bo sufficient. During tho recess the Wanganui seat was mentioned in this connection, but Mr. Hogan, tho sitting member, stoutly discouraged the rumour. Waipawa, Mr. Hall's seat, was also suggested, but if there was anything in that rumour tho readjustment of boundaries seems to have been such as to rather discourage tho idea. Concerning o'.io doctorate, it iva.s publicly assarted that the Minister had been invited to . stand. That was Mnrsden, which he visited a. few months ago, but Mr. Mander is believed to bo so strongly entrenched that probably no candidate could win that seat for the Government. Jf Sir John Findlay tries to oust auy sitting member of the Reform Partv, it is thought that it will be Mr, 6. M. Thompson, at Duncdin North. Other seats that have been mentioned are Parnell, where Mr. Lawrv's prospects are said to have been blighted by the work of the Boundary Commissioners, Waitemata, where Mr. Phillipps (Reform Party) will not seek ro-oloction, and Oamaru, where Sir John Findlay formerly practised his profession. "Nclliugton Citv, wlicrc ho has since practised, is regarded as tho least likely place of all. Whoa ho stood for tho undivided threemember constituency of Wellington, in 1902, the electors placed him sixth out ot nino candidates. Some people affect to see visions of Sir John Findlay as member for Hutt, and Mr. Wilford as M.L.C. and Attorney-General, but others think tho Government could not overlook, in favour of Mr. Wilford, tho claims of tho Hon. 0. Samuel or the Hon. J. R. Sinclair. Tho new electorate of Raglan has also been mentioned as a possible battleground for Sir John l'indlay, and it is stated that, should ho select either Raglan or Waitemata, he would have to fight Mr. Massey—and tho only question tor speculators would bo the amount of Ml. 3la«ey's majority. To find standingroom for the new knight is evidently a difficult problem in party management, and it is not made .any wiser bv tho fact that the Ministenn.ist M.P. s do not appear to be at all strongly desirous of 'welcoming him amongst them. ANIMATED CONTEST PROBABLE. \ new element is introduced into the position by the announcement that for whatever seat Sir John I'indlay elects I o eland, be will have as ait opponent Mr. E G. Jellicoe, of this city. Ihe Attor-nev-General should be thus assured of an animated contest in any constituency to which he may offer himself.