BAY OF ISLANDS ELECTION

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 12 June 1914, Page 4

BAY OF ISLANDS ELECTION

As before stated by this paper, much interest is being centred in the Bay of Islands election on account of the peculiar position of political parties and their supporters. It is well known that, at the election of 1911, Mr Vorn'on Eoed contested the seat on behalf of the Liberal Party, when he polled 2,671 votes against Mr Greo Wilkinson—(he straight-out Masseyite—who polled 2,488, or 183 less than Eeed.

Many things have happened since then. In the first place, Reed turned Masseyite two years ago, and many of his supporters who were then no more Liberals than they are now reformers, are still Reedites because of certain extant in Kawakawa and a few tin-pot centres we could name, but avoid ; and in the second place, Wilkinson and his supporters have ever since been as keen as a razor on fighting Reed at the forthcoming election on its merits, the former's supporters having increased because of the latter's raiubuw principles.

The decision of the Bay of Islands Reform Leigue delegates has beeu awaited with much concern, both aspirants having decided to light the battle out, whether chosen or not, and at last the fiat goes forth, as at the meeting, held at Ohaeawai last week, at which 16 branches of the League were represented, the following resolution was passed unaniniousty and ordered to be given to the Press for publication : " That this meeting of delegates of branches of the Bay of Islands Reform League announce to the electors of the Bay of Islands that at a conference of delegates held on April 22, at Ohaeawai, Mr George Wilianson was elected Reform candid ate for the Bay of Islands electorate by a large majority ; and this meeting also decides that the whole efforts of this branch of the Reform League •shall be brought to bear to secure the success of Mr Wilirinson's candidature." With over 6,300 electors on the Bay cf Islands roll in 1911, and 5,200 going to the poll, we may assume that at the forthcoming contest the increase will be, say, another 400 on the roll, with actual increase of voters to 5,400, therefore, where does either candidate cmc in supposing the Liberals can muster 2,500 ? And they can, because Ee.o,] scored 2.671 in 1911. There are not enough Reform Party votes to go round to beat the Wardilc- ! The threecornered election and no second ballot to save the situation—the Premier can thanic himself for this —is thus going to be an easy win for Dr. Buijk, the chosen Liberal candidate; and if Mr Reed does got beaten (how can he possibly win ?) ho en thanx himself'for being out of Parliament through uot sticicing to his colours,