WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1922, Page 1

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

ELECTION GOSSIP. GROWING INTEREST. SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. WELLINGTON. . Nov 7. The prospect—now almost a certainty—of Sir Joseph Ward taking an active part in the election campaign has added considerably to the interest and something to the perplexities of the political situation as it is viewed in the capital city. Sir Joseph returned to Wellington on Sunday .having shortened his visit to the South Island on account of the death of his brother, and was at once besieged for information concerning his intentions. He had not a great deal to say on the subjects his friends wished to discuss; but from what he did say it may fairly be assumed that he will be a candidate in the approaching contest and that either Invercargill or Wellington North will he the constituency to which he will offer his services. It might be judged that Wellington North would be his own preference:,

since it is the nearer to his own place of residence, but his friends have to be consulted and apparently both those in Wellington North and those in Invercargill are anxious lie should cast his choice in their direction.

THE PRIME MINISTER. The Prime Minister is now visiting the Auckland district, where he is heartening up his supporters and obtaining as much relief ns. the circumstances will permit from the cankering cares of office. Before he- left Wellington he expressed himself quite confident of returning to the new Parliament with a good working majority, though perhaps not with so large a one as he commands at the present time. He did not indicate in what districts he was prepared to suffer losses, but apparently he still expects to see some sort of alliance between the Literals and the Labourites that will increase to some extent the numerical strength of the Opposition, and insure the continued solidarity ol his own party. He smiles benignly at the criticism of his manifesto and is sorry for the people who want him to produce a new policy every day of the week. The comment of his •°l > - ponents on this attitude is. of course, that he has produced no policy at all since his memorable, speech in the Wellington Town Hall in 1911. nnd that he still is trading on unfulfilled promises. . THE LIBERALS. Though Mr Wflford has been surprisingly fortunate in securing a number of very promising candidates to caqity tho Liberal-Labour banner in the North Island, he'has not teen, from all accounts, so successful in the South Island, whore there seems to be very little enthusiasm over the revival of the old combination. Mr G. W. Russell’s re-appearance in the Avon electorate has set things going in that constituency, and it is reported here that -the veteran campaigner stands a very good chance of coming hack to Parliament. Mr teonard Isitt by the pledge he has given Mr Massey, has practically sot himself apart from the

Liberal-Labour combination and must rely upon the Reformers for the support they will require to turn the tide of the battle in bis favour. Mr George Witty, it is stated, is having a bard fight in Riccnrton with the prospect of the Labour candidate, Mr .J. A. McCullough, slipping in between the other contending parties. It is rumoured that Mr i). Sullivan will not he a candidate for Avon, and that Air McCombs will have all he can do to retain tlie Lvttelton seat. A MIXISTKR IX PERIL.

Olio of the* most, interesting contests. in the election is that for the Oroun seat in which the Hon IX H. Guthrie, tlie Minister of hands, is being .opposed by Mr K. Cohhe. a vigorous.

popular young man who knows the game and is playing it uncommonly well. Mr Guthrie is an old hand in politics with a vast amount of useful experience gained as party whip; but like Mr Massey’s other colleagues, liei has been over-shadowed in the House by, the all pervading dominance of his chief, and quite likely is being called to account for sins which have not been of his own voluntary commission. At any rate, lie is’ in hot water in his own constituency over the startling amount of land aggregation that has been going on there, and his youthful opponent presents the case against the Government, in this respect very capably. The Minister’s own friends are gravely alarmed and unbiased observers, with an intimate knowledge of the position, aver he has lost his hold upon the constituency. Mr Guthrie would bo missed in the House, but Mr Cohbc is the type of young man for whom the country is calling.