THE CHRISTCHURCH BY ELECTION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 August 1911, Page 2

THE CHRISTCHURCH BY ELECTION.

As nn indication of the present trend ■of political opinion, the result of this week's by-election at Oliristchnroh may give satisfaction to tho Opposition Party. Certainly its candidate was defeated; but his minority was a much smaller one than that of tho Oppositionist who was defeated for the same seat at tho Last General Elections. The latest contest, however, was between a declared Independent and an Oppositionist ; there was no out-and-out Government condidato; a,nd in the light of this disposition of candidates it may he argued that the Opposition lias had a virtual victory. Against this, however, it must be remembered that Christchurch for many years past ihas been a. city of vadlating tendencies in politics, with Oppositionist or Independent in the place of preferment by frequent turns. Respecting this latest election, our own opinion is that politically it proves next to nothing. Tt was >an election wherein a largo "sympathy" voto was assured for the candidate who wore the mantle of the late member; and, further, an election wherein a considerable body of voters would be antagonistic to him by reason of his strongly pronounced opinions on NoLicense.