CANTERBURY SEATS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1284, 13 November 1911, Page 6

CANTERBURY SEATS.

THE PRESENT OUTLOOK. (By' TeleeraDß.—Snecial OorresDOßdent.l Christchurch, November 10. Politically, as was to bo expected, mattors have been rather quiet.in and around ChTistchurch during tho past week, ine public aro in no mood to wind up a day at the races and tho show by attending political addresses, and candidates have therefore contented themselves very largely to the useful spado work of canvassing conducted under the pleasant conditions obtaining at BiccaTton and Aαdington. Next week will, however, see the active resumption of public meetings. Among ihe candidates who have yet to take to the platform are Messrs. G. Laurenson, J. D. HaU, Isitt, Ell, and Davey. Mr. Laurcnson was to have spoken on Tuesday last, but acting on the advice of his doctor he postponed his meeting for some diys. ■ As it was known that ■during part of the last Parliament hew.as ,in anything but good health, and it was 'feared'that his enforced delay, in beginning his campaign might bo 'duo to a. serious breakdown, but his friends say that the canso was nothing more alarming than a-bad influenza cold. His opponent (Mr. Colin Cook), who is standing as an Independent Liberal, has been busy in tbnt part of Banks Peninsnla, which has been added to tho Xyttelton electorate, and, necording to reports, has been meeting with a rery gratiiyinj welcome end promises of support. Mr. Heaton Rhodes, who addressed his first meeting last Monday at Sonthbridge, received a pleasant proof that his popularity is as ffreat as ever. Ho made an excellent speech quite disposing of the criticism of the Government hero to the effect that he does hot take politics seriously. As he said, if he were not in earnest and not foud of political life he' need not have returned so soon from EngUnd. One of Mr. Rhodes's most experienced supporters expressed the opinion to-<ky that ho would win with 2000 votes to spare. There will bo no second ballot in Ellpsmoro. For the Kaiapoi seat Mr. R. Moore's chances appear excellent. His opening speech on Monday was forcible and clear and formed a cruel contrast to the mild vaguo' blitherings of tho Minister for Internal Affairs. Mr. Blackwell is by no means a strong candidate, but he has most of the Prohibitionist vote which is an influential ono in Kaiapoi, and will doubtless be supported by some of the Government' party who do not admire the individual members of the Government. In Christchurch South the Government Whip will have tho fight of his life. The Labour candidate (Mr. 6. It. Whiting) has been orcanising well for some time and from all accounts can command tho support of a good many of Mr. Ell's former admirers. Mr. Davey, on the other hand, may have an easier (ask in Christchurch East than was at first anticipated, for Mr. Hiram Hunter, the Labonr candidate, disappointed somo of his friends by his first speech. Tho withdrawal of Mr. W. .T. Walter from tho Avon contest makes Mr. G. W. Eussoll's return toleraVly safe. Mr. Walter is no speaker, Wit ho has much sound sense and is personally very popular, and he would have polled well; but his advocacy of the bare majority in a contest in ■ which two other candidates holding that belief are already in the field undoubtedly weakened his* chance, and though his committee urged him to go on with tho contest, he decided to withdraw. All efforts to find another Reform candidate seem so far to have been fruitless, which is a pity as tho seat might bo won for tho Reform party by a strong man.