POLITICAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2415, 8 April 1922, Page 3

POLITICAL.

THE MANAWATU ELECTORATE. Mr Ed. Newman, M.P., and sittinp member for the constituency, will represent the Government at the -forthcoming election. Mr Newman 1 \i£well-known personally throughout file constituency, except-perhaps in the southern end, which now includes Levin. He has, however, cooperated with Mr W. H. Field in matters affecting the lower end of the electorate, and will be afforded ample time io get into personal ; touch with..the electors before the 'hustings. Mr Wilford, Leader of the United Progressive and Liberal Labour Party, has already visited the southern end of this -electorate, and has discussed organising work with supporters; The selection of a candidate has yet to be decided. In days gone by the Liberals had a strong hold locally, but lost to extreme Labour, who in turn were outed by the Reform candidate. If Mr Wilford’s party can select the right man, the Government candidate will > have to look to his laurels.

The New Zealand Labour Party

has. already been active in the district, but their choice of a candidate " has not yet been made public. This Party, which represents extreme Labour; is probably the best organised, but there will be a big seceession frojn its ranks to the LiberalLabour Party. Extreme Labour reached its peak in this .electorate ' when Mr John Robertson was returned. Since then it has declined, as was indicated at the last election, when Mr Hillier, a most excellent candidate, had a straight-out op-

1 portunity to defeat the Government • candidate. The Party’s hope of success in a triangular contest with a sane Labour candidate in the field is not bright. However, the race is not won until the tape is reached, but the strenuous work will ./be between , sane and extreme Labour.