The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, December 16, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1083, 16 December 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, December 16, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Touching the Otaki election, we have to congratulate Mr Robertson on his wiu. A lew weeks ago we predicted that he had no chance ox success, and branded him as a “ rank outsider." He was and is now a stranger to the great

majority of electors, and his political views are not necessarily the views of a majority of those who returned him on Thursday. The division in the Opposition camp gave him his chance and he slipped into the second ballot, and with the Opposition and Prohibition support managed to defeat his opponent. It now remains to be seen whether he can retain the confidence so reposed in him.

Thk second ballots give the clearly-defined Reform Party candidates a majority of three over the clearly-defined Government Party. The balance of power remains with the successful Independent and Labour candidates, of whom their are eight, and the three Maori seats yet to be decided. Of the Independents the Government can rely upon the support of Messrs Isitt and Coates and possibly two Maori members, which would equalise the parties. The two Labour Socialists, Messrs Payne and Robertsou, have denounced the Ward Party, and will vote them out, Atmorc, Hindmarsh and Veitch have Liberal leanings, but the last-named is pledged to vote no-confidence in the Government. It will be seen that the Government have not a working majority, and possibly a short session will be called to decide the point, and Mr Massey will be asked to form a Ministry and declare a policy. Then the baud will begin to play in real earnest. The Laud question will prove the strength or otherwise of the Reform Party In this connection with one or two exceptions, the Reform Party present a solid front while certain supporters of the Government have declared themselves in favour of the freehold. The old Liberals, however, will stand by the leasehold. It is impossiple just at present to predict what the next few months may bring forth,but we can rest assured that stirring times are ahead.