ELECTION PROSPECTS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1931, Page 6

ELECTION PROSPECTS

REVIEW OF POSITION IN THE

NORTH ISLAND

(Ch ristcliuroh Times.)

WELLINGTON, August b.

Confidence in the prospects of the United Party at the coming general ejection was expressed to-day bv a member of the party who has .Just completed a tour of the North Island. He said that already sixty-one United candidates had been chosen and otheis would be announced .at an early date. “The type of candidate coming forward to contest seats op behalf of the United Party at this election is the best in the history of the party, and a noticeable feature is that men who in the past have ’ been strong supporters ,of the Reform Party have come over to us,” he said. “This is due to the splendid manner in which the Prime Minister has tackled the difficult problems facing the country. It has not been a pleasant task for him, but it had to he done and the thinking section of the community give Mr Forbes credit for bis honesty of purpose. At the present time he stands head and shoulders above every other politician, in the country. “Any Government that finds it neeossa rv to increase taxation runs the risk of incurring the displeasure of a number of those who are called upon to bear heavier burdens, but in the case of the present Government there seems to be a general recognition'that no other course" was open to it. REFORM LIKELY TO LOSE.

“As I see the position Labour will probably gain a few seats in the cities, a lid there may be one or two losses of United seats in the main centres. However, the United Party has not many seats that it can lose in the large centres. I think that the coming elecion will see an accession of strength to the United Party, chiefly at the expense of the Peform Party.

“I do not know what the position is in the South Island, but throughout the North Island there is a pronounced swing over from Peform to United. We are not likely to any seats in Auckland and have excellent prospects of making gains from Reform. In Taranaki the Reform Party is not likely to improve its position, and it may lose the Patea seat. In other parts of the North Island our prospects are equally good. * THE FUSION PROPOSALS.

“One does not have to travel far to find very clear evidences of dissatisfaction with the attitude of Air Coates towards the fusion proposals. We are receiving support from unexpected quarters and our organisation was j never more complete than it is today. The real reason for this changer over to the United Party in the North Island is that Mr Forbes has earned the admiration of the people for his courage in doing what he honestly believes to be the right thing to dso in the present state of the Dominion.”

Asked whether he thought there was any possibility of fusion taking place before the election, the speaker said tliat Air Contes seemed to 1 have dallied too long over the matter, and it would probably be found that it was now too late for fusion to be arranged.