THE LYTTELTON SEAT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1924, 5 December 1913, Page 6

THE LYTTELTON SEAT.

Tim; coiil-st for the LylteUriii seat appears lu he exciting unusual interest in C'hrislchurch and ils port, and the strike for the lime being has been pushed into I lie background. Tii's reason for this is ihe effort Unit is being made by the lied Federation

to capture the seat, wills the object of declaring that the result is a proof that public opinion is in favour of tlie strikers and their lawless methods. It is worthy of note that the Hod Federationi'sts and their allies have so little confidence in the

merits of fheir cause that they have persistently endeavoured, and with sunn:' success, to prevent either the Reform or the Liberal candidates from addressing meetings. Both Mi;. Miller, the Eeform candidal;-, and Mn. Lai'iiexsox, who is standing in the Opposition interest, hava had their meetings disturbed and broken up by the rowdy element which ranges itself under the Med Flag,

whereas the nominee of the Federation has a calm and peaceful meeting. _ Such tactics, of course, arc not likely to prejudice the chances of the candidates who have been refused Hint full and fair hearing they are entitled to. It is not an easy'matter, with so many candidates'in the field, to attempt to gauge public opinion, and forecast the results of the first ballot. The idea appears to lie fairly generally held, however, that the tendency of the public is to range themselves for or against the Red Federation—those who favour sane and reasonable methods on the one side and those who believe in the violent and lawless methods ■ witnessed during the present industrial crisis on the side of the Federation. It'is not surprising in the circumstances that the prospects of the Government candidate should have materially improved. He stands for the Government which by its firm and resolute action has prevented the brutal attempt of the Red Federation to terrorise and intimidate the public, and the- electors of Lyttelton who realise the menace of that evil organisation.to the peaceful conduct of the trade and business of the community, cannot fail to perceive that the election affords them a direct incans. of expressing their appreciation and approval of the Government's action. The probabilities seem to point to the Government candidate securing a place in the second ballot, and if, as seems likely, his opponent is Mr. M'Cmras, the selected of the 3ied Federation, the electors of Lyttelton will have the chance to teach the revolutionary organisation a sharp lesson, and at the same time secure a worthy representative in Mil. Miller.