The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, August 19, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1032, 19 August 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, August 19, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Mr Makjn, organiser for Mr Mouckton the Opposition candidate for the Otaki seat, was in Foxtoa yesterday “spying out the land.” In conversation with our representative, Mr Makin said “the Opposition candidate’s chance ot success at the forthcoming election was assured.” There is nothing like entering upon a fight with an optimistic outlook, but Mr Monckton has yet to inspire that confidence in the electors which justifies his organiser’s prognostication. We were also informed that Levin’s Mayor is in charge of Mr Field’s campaign rather an ambiguous position for a chief magistrate of any community to occupy. Anyhow, the Government candidate has in his organiser a man possessed of plenty of energy. Mr Makin is of opinion that the “Rev” Thompson’s (a one time Presbyterian minister, who subsequently became a liquor trade lecturer) chances of wooing the electors are very poor. Mr Makin did not express an opinion as to Mr Brown’s prospects. By the way, Messrs Brown and Monckton will shortly loom big in the public eye as the result of a slander action in the Supreme Court. It is rumoured that Mr Brown will not be a candidate as he has disposed of his business connection in the Otaki district and intends settling in Australia. Anyhow, Mr Brown will soon settle this point for us. The Opposition candidate’s organiser did not know anything of the political prospects of the other two Richmonds. We were handed a pamphlet setting forth an address delivered by Mr Monckton at Ohau in July, and dealing with the Cook Islands administration and one or two other minor allegations of the Government’s maladministration. Perhaps it would

not be fair to judge Mr Mouckton’s fitness as a Parliamentary candidate on this speech. We were also informed that arrangements were being made for Mr Herdman to speak at Foxton on behalf of the Opposition candidate, which leads us to remark that the electors would think more of Mr Mouckton if he played the game off his own bat. Of the six candidates who are spoken of for the Otaki seat, several are nonresidents in the electorate. There may not be much in this point except from a parochial point of view, yet it weighs mightily with numbers of people. It is probable that other candidates may yet make their appearance. Let ’em all come and may the best man win !

Mr Isitt put up a good fight against Mr Hall in the Christchurch North by-election and won by a substantial majority. A good deal of sentiment is said to have entered into the battle, but judging the two men on their merits any unprejudiced person must admit that Mr Isitt is a more able man than Mr Hall. Granted that the latter was nursed in the lap of politics, It must not be supposed that Mr Isitt is ignorant of the great political issues of the day. It is true that Mr Isitt has specialised Prohibition but to be well posted in this reform requires a knowledge of the leading political questions. This reform, of necessity, involves great social and economic issues. Sentiment also entered largely into Mr Hall’s campaign. Is he not the son of the late Sir John Hall ? Eliminating the sentimental issue the best man won and given the opportunity Mr Isitt will make a name for himself in the politics of this country.