WELLINGTON SEATS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1931, Page 7

WELLINGTON SEATS

FEW CHANGES LIKELY.

WELLINGTON, Nov. 22. Tile closing _of n'ominnniions has defined the contests in the various electorates throughout the country, and it is now possible to gain a clearer perspective of the General Election prospects as a. whole and of the .likely onacome in Wellington constituencies in particular. There are 16 candidates for the six Wellington seats, including Hutt and Suburbs, exactly the same number as in 1928, while there are two each for the Otaki and Wairarapa seats. In practically every instance the main issue will he between the Coalition ’ and ‘La'boujtf and the only real significance of the appearance of others in the field is that they will serve to complicate the issue by taking votes from one side or the other. It appears as though the Coalition has a chance of gaining one and possibly two seats in Wellington.

One of the most interesting contests wil3 he in Hutt betwen Mr J. Kerr (Coalition), and Mr W. Nash (Labour). Foi: thany years this was a Liberal seat held by Sir Thomas Wilford, and it was captured by Labour as recently as December, 1929, when a bye-election was made necessary through the retirement of Sir Thomalri Wilford to take up the position of High Commissioner in London, In 1928, Mr Nash lost by 1305 votes iln a straight out fight, but In 1929 he won by a majority of 213 votes. On that occasion he was opposed by twq others, He polled 5048 votes and the other two ccrnbim ed 7345. Mr Kerr, who who was also a candidate secured 4835 votes. This year the issue will be between Mr Nash and Mr Kerr. It is certain Mr Kerr will have most of the Reform votes of 2510 cast at the byeelection, in which event he must run Mr Nash very close, and if the polling is heavy lie should have a very good chance of winning the sent back from Labour.

In Welligton East also, there is a straight-out contest between Mr T. Forsyth (Coalition), nind Mr R. Semple (Labour). In 1928 Mr Semple secured 5527 votes, but cn that occasion the voting was split by an Independent Reformer, Mr J. J. Clark, who with Mr Forsyth then stood as a Reformer and Mr Semple’s majority was 966. As the issue this time is clear-cut between Labour and the Coalition, it is not unreasonable to suppose that Mr Forsyth will take most of tlio votes that previously went to Mr Clark, so that at the moment it may be he has a decided chance of winning the seat.

Uncertainty must prevail, in Wellington North owing to the decision of Sir John Luke to continue in the contest in spite of the fact that he will not undertake active campaigning He is an Independent. Coalitionist and with him there are three in the field, the others being Mr C. A. Troup (Official Coalition)), and Mr C. H. Chapman (Labour). Mr Chapman was sent to Parliament in 1028 by a margin <>!' 47 votes, but then had only Sir John Luke against him. In a three-cornered contest the outcome will be doubtful, although the voting might he made more decisive if the 3000 electors in this constituency who did not bother to east their votes in 1928 go to the poll this year. Another straight-out contest is being fought in Wellington South between Mr W. Appleton (Coalition) and Mr R. MeKeen (Labour). Mr McKeen was returned by a substantia,! majority in 1928, when lie was opposed by a Reformer and a United adherent. Many of the Reform and United votes cast in 1828 are bound to be given, for the Coalition this year, but even so it appears th°t Mr Appleton might have a difficult task to unseat his opponent. There does not seem to be much fear of the Coalition losing Wellington Suburbs, where Mr R. A. AVright is opposed by Mr T. Brindle (Lai our), Mr K. McLennan (Independent). Those are the same three candidate who stood in 1928. In that year Mr Wright was returned by a majority of 1985. . Mr P. Fraser (Labour) is strongly entrenched in "Wellington Central. Although there are four candidates in this electorate it would seem at the moment that two—Mr F. W. Nicolaus (Independent) and Mr R. F. Griffon —will give little or no cause for alarm to either of the two principal contestants —Mr Fraser and Mr R. Darroeh (Coalition). Attention will bo centred upon these two on polling night, and it appears that Mr Darroeh will have a hard job to oveeome Mr Fraser’s 4928 majority of 3458. The contests in Wajrnrapa and Otaki are of interest to "Wellington, for both electorates border on the city itself. In both the Coalition’s pros poets are good. Mr W. H. Field (Coalition) has a single opponent in Mr J. Thorn (Labour) in Otaki. and in Wajrarapa Mr T. W. Me,Donald (Coalition) is contending with the opposition of Mr A. D. McLeod (Independent Eefom).