A SPENT FORCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 46, 18 November 1919, Page 8

A SPENT FORCE

LIBERALISM LOSING GROUND IN AUCKLAND PROSPECTS IN AUCKLAND WEST (from Our Own Correspondent.) . Auckland, November IC. A good deal of interest is being taken in the Auckland CJity contests, and it is possible that more than ono "surprise" will be brought off. Dominion readers will no doubt be interested in progress reports of the campaigning awl something about tho candidates, l'oi the moment the most interesting contosi is that for Auckland West, the sitting meniuer lor whicli is Mr. Poole, a sup- . porter of Sir Joseph Ward, and my first references will bo to this seat. In subsequent messages I shall touch on each of Hie other Auckland city and suburban seats. Mr. Bagnall having retired irom tin contest tnere now remain throe candidates in the field for the Auckland \\ cs; seat—Mr. Bennett (Government), Mr. Entrican (Opposition), and Mr. Savage (Labour). Mr. Bennett is certainly tin most interesting personality of the three. He is a young man, born and bred in Auckland, with hosts of friends amoiife all classes. Ho appears quite; at homi on tho platform, -and has ideas am. knows how to express'them. He is quick at repartee and has proved more than a.match for his hecklers, hitting Jinn, but without bitterness and never losinj, his head or his temper. His two public meetings have, been most' successful. Yet there has been just enough interruption to drive away«any suspicion of dullness. Ho had a crowded house- 01 Thursday night, and it was quito evident that he'had the sympathy of all excopt a handful of Labour extremists with whom he had some good-humoum. exchanges. Mr. Bennett's friends nro very confident, and not without good cause. ' . . Mr. Entrican, the came into tho arena with a flourish of trumpets, but it is already quite evident that his candidature is not gbing to. be a triumphal march. His first publie netting • was a /great disappointment to hie supporters. He did not seem quite comfortable; on tho platform, and had a i rather mixed reception. Ho made- tho mistake of reading hie speech, which naturally evoked much jeering and mnny. humorous interjections. It is generally admitted- that Mr. Entrican has mado a bad start, and that he will find It difficult to recover the ground he has lost. At first there was some doubt as to Mr. Entrican's political faith, but he was soon compelled to show his hand; confessing himself a Wardist. At his meeting he was again forced to declare himself. When asked how he would voto on a "no confidence" motion there was a great deal, of excitement, one voice sjying: "We havo got you to a fence all light." "Hβ candidate said he was a -Liberal, and always had been, a Liberal, and when he'got to Wellington he would be with tho Liberals. A voice: You have not answered tho question. Ara,£ou for Ward or Massoy? The candidate replied that the firstthing would be to Appoint a Liberal leader. He would do his best to get the beet leader, and he would bo a Liberal all the ,time. After'more questions it was moved that Mr. Entrican bo thanked for his address, but that tho meeting, having heard his views and replies to questions, "is of opinion th.it the same aro not satisfactory and that Mr. Entrican is. not a fit and proper person to represent Auckland Weet in Parliament." The motion wits put amid some noise. There was a weak response both for and against, and it was'declared lcet by tho chairman. | Tho Labour candidate's first meetine passed off quietly. Ho expounded and defended the La'bour platform, and slated thathis attitude on tho ;icon9i)i.and other questions would be determined by the decisions~bf the party in caucus or conference: Mr. Savage is expected to poll well.jbut his candidature' is more likely to injure the chances of Mr. EnIrican than those of Mr. Bennett. Thero is a growing feeling in Auckland that Liberalism is a spent force."' that it. is gradually losing its distinctive features, and 'that it is doomed w.timntoly to bo swallowed up by Reform and Labour. The fact that the Liberals find it necessary to apologise for their existence ie a good indication'of the trend of events hero, Mr. Bennett's ch,inces of winning Auckland West for the Government nro ouito good, provided his supporters do , their very utmost to secure every vote they can.'They must take nothing for granted.