AT VARIANCE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2310, 18 November 1914, Page 6

AT VARIANCE

OPPOSITION AND LABOUR IN PARNELL. (By Taleffrapli.—Press Association.) Auckland, November 17. When Mr. Briggs. retired from tie Parnell contest against Mr. J. S. Dickson last' week, Mr. J. J. Sullivan was announced as the Opposition candidate, and he opened his campaign.- The official Liberal-Labour organisation, however, refused to accept Mr. Sullivan, and nominated Mr. J. C. Gleeson to contest the seat. Last night at a large meeting Mr. Sullivan said that rather than split the vote he would retire in Mr. Gleeson's favour, but the crowd was very insistent that Mr. Sullivan should stand. Mr. Gleeson also nddressed the crowd, but was accorded a mixed reception, and it was arranged that Mr. Sullivan would announce his decision tonight. He met a very large audience to-night, which made a demonstration of approval when he announced that he would go to the poll. It is understood now that both Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Gleeson will contest the seat. Mr. Gleeson contested the City Central seat at last election against Mr. Glover.

Sir Joseph Ward had said that the Liberals had never lost power bo far as tho votes of the people were concerned. To show how foolish this statement waß, Mr. Pirani quoted some illuminating statistics. Taking the 29 Liberals, fcur Labour, three Maoris, and two Independent members who composed the Opposition party, the total votes cast for them were 120,465, whereas for 42 Beforin candidates the total votes were 130,170. So that of the votes cast for tho successful candidates, the Government had a majority of 19,000 over the combined Opposition.—Wangamu "Chronicle." .

Much- sooner than anybody anticipated, would be the case tho country has received a practical demonstration of the value of the work done by Mr. Allen in consultation with the War OJHce on the occasion of■ his visit to the Old Country nearly two years ago. The public will,now agree that the Minister is perfectly justified in claiming that the action which he then took with respect to the arrangements for tho organisation of an Expeditionary Force for service abroad, in the event of its being needed, has been of very material service in enabling New Zealand to play her part worthily in contributing to the defanco of the Empire.—"Otago Daily Times."

In the Far North, Mr. Gordon Coates, the sitting member for Kaipara, is in the thick of his campaign. Reports to hand show that this popular member of the Reform Party is meeting with the greatest possible encouragement. One of his most recent meetings was at Rukuwai, -where, after outlining and upholding tho policy of the Government, he was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, and had the pleasure of hearing the meeting carry, amidst acclamation, a vote of confidence in the .Government.