NOTES FROM DUNEDIN

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 64, 9 December 1919, Page 8

NOTES FROM DUNEDIN

SOME INTERESTING FACTS

. AND A FEW FIGURES. . ■ (From Our Special Correspondent.) Dunedin, December 6. N The usual,calm that prevails in Otimo ami Southland has been almost instantaneously disturbed by the remarkablo interest that has developed in the body politic. So,me notes on the situation ]>y ono who' knows the whole of the electorates from end to end and who is without bias will be of some interest to your readers. -, -The most striking feature of-the political situation is the change of feeling towards the Prime Minister. A few months since Mr. Massey and th 6 National Government would not jiavo had a hope of surviving an election, loday Mr. Massey is in a stronger .position than ever before. In my opinion, this is due to two causes. Firstly, the fearless and able manner in which lie carried through the work of the Inst Parliament under extremely adverse circumstances, and, secondly, to. the impossiblo attitude of the Federation of Labour, and the general feeling that exists that should the Liberal Party and the Reform Party be anything like even after the election, the "Beds" will throw in their lot with Sir Joseph Ward. In so far as Dunedin ie concerned, there is not likely to be many changes. I venture to predict that in Dunedin North Mr. E. Kellett. the "sane" Labour candidate, will easily account for Mr. Andrew Walker. At the last ■clec_tion. Mr. G. M. Thomson was defeated for this- seat by a matter of 322 votes. Mr. Kellett will carry quite a following of the workers, as he is ono of the most solid of those standing on the Labour side in the Dominion. There is little dou.bt but that Messrs..Statham and Stewart, Independent Reform, will be returned with substantial majorities. In South Dunedin, Mr. T. K. Sidev. Liberal, who is immensely popular among all sections,' will account for Mr. J. T. Paul, Official Labour. The "Heds" are out to break up meetings of those opposed to Labour, whilst the meetings of the latter are held with all tho quietude of ft mothers' meeting. The hostility shown to Mr. W. P. Black, Independent Labour, is very pronounced, and seems to bo going from bad to worse. At his lost, meeting the noisy minority were so hostile that it was quite impossible for him to obtain a hearing. . / In Port Chalmers we have a threesided contest between Mr. Dickson (Reform), Colquhoun (Liberal), and Gilchrist (Labour). Tho Labour candidate is not to be reckoned with. Mr. Dicksou should win by a, small majority.

An interesting contest may be looked for in Otago Central. Hero there is another triangular contest. Mr, Robert Scott (Reform), Mr. James Horn (Liberal), and Mr. A. Ashworth (Labour) are tho contending parties. For many years Mr. Horn carried on a successful business at Bannockblirn, and his namo for fair dealing is a by-word in the Cromwell district. ,Many of Sir William Eraser's supporters will, on this occasion, support Mr. Horn, and without doubt he will obtain a substantial lead in this part of the electorate. Wakatip.u, however, now ombraces the major portion of Mr. Scott's old' electorate —Otago Central—wherein ho had a majority of 999 votes against hie opponent at the last election. This candidate is even more popular among his old constituents than on the previous occasion. Mr. Mnssey has helped Mr. Scott tremendously by his hurried visit, ns will Sir William Eraser, who is saying farewell to his old friends, during the next few days.' It will bo a close contest.

Oaniaru will witness another keen contest between the sitting member, Mr. E. P. Lee, and Mr. J. A. Macpherson. In 19M, Mr: Lee won by the narrow margin of 338 votes, and this contest will be watched with interest. The general .swing towards the Government should help the sitting member.

In Brace Sir Jnmes Allnn will comfortably account for Mr. John Edie.

Probably the closest contest in the province will he' that of Clufcha, where there are four candidates—Mr. Malcolm (Reform), Mr. Masliu (Liberal). Mr. John Christie (I. L.-Lab.), and Mr. Rodger (Independent Reform). The result seems to rest between the sitting member, Mr. Malcolm, and Mr. Rodger.

In Southland Mr. G. .T. Ajiderson (Reform) tho sitting member, should win comfortably. The. Hon. J. A. Hanan (Liberal) will havo no difficulty in defeating J. IC. Araher (official Lnbuur), and I predict Mint his majority will be the biEWest hereabouts. The same may be said of Awarua. Mr. J. A. Hamilton (Reform) is a popular candidate, and is doing well, but the prevailing opinion is that Sir Joseph Ward holds too many guns , for his rival. Mr. Adam Hamilton is a brother of Sir Joseph Ward's opponent, and is looked upon as a stronger candidate than the latter. He will run J. C. Thomson very close for Wallace.

Tho Southern Maori contest will bo interesting. There are at least four candidates in the field—Uru (Independent), Erihana (Independent Reform), Matthews (Independent Liberal), and Tfliroa (Liberal). The contest will resolve itself into a battle royal between Mr. Uru amiMr. Tairoa, but the former will, I think, win. r ■-■''

This is a fair summary of tho position as I see it at present, and , cs time goes on Mr. Massey's mana is increasing.