The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, November 17, 1908.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 17 November 1908, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, November 17, 1908.

As we pen these lines hundreds of electors throughout the Dominion are casting their votes for or against the Ward Government, and striking out the top or two bottom lines on the local option issue. We do not hesitate to say that the Liberal Party will go back to power, but not by the same majority as at past elections. There will be a number of surprise packets. In our own electorate, it is almost a certainty that the veteran politician, Mr John Stevens, will pass the post first with the Opposition candidate near at hand, followed at the bend, to use a sporting phrase, by Messrs Frankland and Gardner in the order named. Mr Stevens’ majority will not, however, be sufficient to obviate the second ballot. Touching the No-Eicense poll, both parties a.e confident of victory. We are assured of this: if No-Eicense is not carried to-night the fault lies with the wretched organisation of the reform party. We are pleased to record that although feeling has run high at times, both parties have played the game without resorting to dispicable tactics. Greater interest is manifested in the No-Eicense poll than over the

Great excitement prevails in Oroua and feeling runs high. The three candidates are : Mr O. Peasants Government, Mr Guthrie Opposition and Mr R. E, Hornblow, Independent. The last named has played off his own bat and has put up one of the most strenuous fights of any candidate in the Dominion. Both the Opposition and Government candidates have had the assistance of their chiefs and the support of the local newspaper. It is anticipated that the Opposition candidate will top the list and it is a toss up between the Government and Independent candidate for second place. The No-Eicense party are sanguine about their chance of success, but the trade has let money flow like in furthering their cause. Still we predict a win for No-Eicense.

For the Palmerston seat we are of opinion that the sitting member, Mr Woods, will pass the’ tape ahead of his opponent, Mr Buick. The local option vote will show a large increase for No-Eicense, but continuance will, in our opinion, reign for another three years.

* * Rangitikei will re-elect the Government candidate, Mr Remington, although Mr Smith will poll well. It will be touch-and-go for No-Eicense.

We will not be surprised to see Pahiatua return the Opposition candidate Mr Cooper, although Mr Ross Government, and Hawkins Independent will poll well. The No-Eicense vote, for lack of proper organisation, will not show a great inciease over last poll.

Masterton will return Mr A. W. Hogg, the Government candidate, and we predict it will carry NoLicense.

Wairarara will again return Mr Hornsby the Government candidate, the result of the No-Eicense vole will hang in the balances.

We could go on making predictions ad infinitum, but we shall stop just here and leave the public to behold the actual results in front of the Herald Office to-night.