THE AUCKLAND BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 65, 10 December 1919, Page 8

THE AUCKLAND BATTLE

COUNTRY ELECTORATES

ENCOURAGING OUTLOOK FOR MM

SOME KEEN CONTESTS

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

Auckland, December 7. Tho most interesting recent development in tho election campaign in Auckland city and suburbs is the sudden outburst of energy 011 the part of the friends of Mr. Gunson, one of the candidates for tlio Roskill seat. His committed is now making a big effort to boom liiiu as "the great business man." A number of people have announced their intention of speaking 011 his behalf, and iio hopes to ho able to deliver at least 'one speech before election day.' In his letter to tho electors Air. Gunson declares that ho is in accord with tho political programme issued by Mr ; Masscv, but declines to commit himself either to the Reform Party or the Liberal Party. Mr. Potter, the Reform candidate, has been right out in the open for some weeks, lighting vigorously and successfully, and lus chanccs are greatly superior to thoso of tho absent candidate. The most Mr. Gunson can hope to do is to split the votes, but ho will probably take as many from tho Liberal candidate as from Mr. Potter. This opens up the- possibility of letting in tho official Labour candidate, an achievement, which the very patriotic gentlemen who are going to undertake Mr. Gunson's platform work would have 110 reason to be proud of. Meantime Mr. Potter is strengthening his position every day. One of the amusing incidents of tho campaign is Mrs. Bauine's accusation that Mr. Dickson, the Reform candidate for Parnell,'is not sufficiently loquacious. She has boon delving into "Hansard," and finds that Mr. Dickson's speeches do not occupy a sufficient number of pages. If Mr. Dickson's opponent can find nothing more serious against him than economy in words his re-election should, be even more sure than it already is—and his friends are extremely confident, and with good cause.. Perhaps Mr. Dickson has studied the Book of Proverbs, and lias taken these words for his motto: "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth -wide his lips shall have destruction." A member of Parliament has . certainly more chance of Keeping his political life by curtailing his talk than by excessive eloquence. He never has to explain away or apologise for the things he didn't, say. . Taking the campaign for the Auckland province as a whole tho outlook is very good from the Reform point of view. The Government is almost certain to keep all tho seats it now holds, and in addition it has a very good chance of winning at least two and may even win five. Mr. V. 11. Keed is sure to retain the Bay of Islands for Reform. I'here are five for Marsden. Mr. Mander (Reform), a moderate Labour candidate, an Independent Labour candidate, and an Independent. Mr. Mander should not have great difficulty in topping the poll. . The Hon. .l! G. Coats? 'Reform) is opposed by Mr. Gregory (Labour). Mr. Coates's return for Kaiparn is regarded as one of tho most certain of political certainties.

Mr. Greenslade (Liberal) is making a strenuous fight against Mr. Harris (Heform) for Waitemata, but his chances are not bright. Mr. Harris is quite safe.

The retirement of Mr. 'It. E. Taylor (Independent) leaves Sir Frederick -Lang (Reform) with two opponents—Jlr.. Mason (Labour) and Mr. C- E. Major (Liberal). Sir Frederick Lang has been enthusiastically received wherever he has spoken, and some of Mr. Major's own friends admit that the Reform candidato will win. Everything points to the fact that Sir Frederick will have a decisive victory. Mr Massey will certainly be re-elect-ed for Franklin with a .big majority, though Mr. Rca, his Liberal opponent, seems to be taking himself seriously. Things appear to be rather mixed at the Thames, where Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Reform) is being opposed i>y a Labour candidate, a Libsra.l, an Independent Liberal, and an Independent (.Mrs. Lindsay Cooke). Some people say thai the Reform candidate is not finding his task an easy one, but lifl appears to have had some very good meetings, and ought certainly to bo able to beat the most likely of liis' four opponents. His position cannot be seriously endangered. Mr. J. Clark, the Reform candidate, is making a splendid fight, for Ohinemuri against the sitting member, Mr. H. Poland (Liberal). His friends are very confident that he will top the poll. _ He la getting a good hearing and is making an excellent impression, and many good judges nro of opiilion that ho will win. Mr. Poland will certainly have to exert, himself to the utmost, to avert defeat. This contest promises to be a very closo one, as it was on tho last, occasion, when Mr. Poland squeezed home with a majority of only 100 votes. The return of Mr. R. F. Bollard _ ;Reform) for Raglan is one of the certainties of tho campaign. Neither the Labour candidato nor the Independent is at all likely to shako his position. It is ijiiite possible, however, that his majority may not bo quite so large as it was at the last election.

Quito a brisk battle is in progress for the Waikato' seat between Mr. Young (Reform), Mr. Lafferty (Liberal-Labour), and Mr. Watts (Independent Liberal). Mr. Young's chief opponent is Mr. Watts, but the sitting member is. conducting his campaign with much vigour and ability and is meeting with great encouragement. His supporters are most enthusiastic and very confident, and the possibility of Mr. Young being ousted is extremely remote.

Jlr. Herr'ies will not have much difficulty in retaining the Tauranga seat for Reform. He will probably secure a 1; {; majority over his opponent. The new Uotorua electorate is reglirded as a certainty for the Rsfonli candidate (Mr. Hockley).

Mr. K. S." Williams (Reform) is making a good fight for Bav of Plenty, but he has a very hard man to beat in Jlr. Jlr.cDonald, the sitting member. Jfr Joinings (Liberal i and Jlr. C. IC. Wilson (Independent Reform) are having a stiff battle for the new electorate of Waitomo.

Sir .lames Carroll (Liberal) will probably retain tlio Gislwrno spat. His Opponents are Mr. Lvsiot (Independent) ami Mr. Brindlo (labour). The Auckland city and suburban seats have been dealt with in previous reports. Tin: prospects may be summarised as follows:—

Ths Gospel of the Reds. "Tho I.abour extremals who are (in-1 deavowriiig to sccure domination over Die New Zealand J.«;i.si.it!ire are jiroHj))- 1 ing tlu' gospel of prolet.uiat riili','" .-"ays ; thi) (.1 isborui! "Herald." "They H.iy, as ono persistent individual at Sir .'ami's Cnrroll's mcolasserted, thai P:i!-!i<i-. menlr.ry has i'ailed. anil lli::t. 1 it. is necessary I'or 11;:: people 111 ial'e control, in other words,, that Iht principle; of Soviol in • liussin should ho transplanted to New | Zealand. tlud ticlp this Dominion if that, over comes* aouut—if ordered gov- > miniont, by tho people and for the 1 people, as wo know it under our democratic system, gives place to a lime when any Tern, Dick-; o' - Harry from !''e wharves ft Ihe stokehold can seize Iho reins of authority ami dictate, as Hie Russian dictators have done, what shall he done with the lives and property of men, 'women, «nd children." Our contemporary might have added that these are the gentioinon who have expressed their willingness to join with Sir Joseph Ward to vote Air. .Massey out:

Mr. Glovi'r i Liberal) will almost i.ertairlv .)>o iv'niriipd for Auckland Centra I,' Mr. T'arr (Reform) fnr Kdcn, and Mr- Dickson (Reform) for Parnell. Mr. Potter his an exlremely jjoad chance of wii;iiiiif! Hie new Roskill seat for Reform, and Mr. Mennett, the Reform candidate, •vill probe.bly top the pall in Auckland West. Miss Melville (Reform) lias at Irtist as !;ood a chance as either Mr. Vowlds 'Liberal) or Mr. liartram (Labour) of bein<r elected for Grey Lynn, and Mi-. .Myers (Literal) is fijlitinir desperately t'o keep bis place as member for Auckland East, from which lit 1 is in «'ri•ms danger of bsiiiß ousted bv Mr. riitllia Macken'/.'c, who is making ;t splendid %ht miliar the Uel'w'm banner.