INVERCARGILL BY-ELECTION

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4488, 7 August 1930, Page 3

INVERCARGILL BY-ELECTION

REFORM v. UNITED. Invercargill, August 5. The Invercargill- by-election campaign is now going with a good swing. Though it is somewhat early lo predict the outcome of ibe contest, the rival camps are each fully confident of the nltimnte successful issue of the battle.

Opinions here when the prospects are discussed seem to bo somewhat evenly divided, and it is generally conceded that a close finish will be seen.

The fact that many former Liberal stalwarts who some two years ago strongly supported the personal candidature of the late Sir Joseph Ward have openly gone over to the opposition stronghold has caused some undoubted concern to the United followers. In spile of such loss of support it cannot be disputed that Dir. Vincent Ward will poll heavily, and even many mi ardent Reformer has confessed ilia! the United candidate will probably forge ahead at the. winning post. On the other hand, however, the Reform Parly seems to he gathering strength in all directions and in localities where a fair indication ofi the views of the worker and the man in the street can be gleaned, the- name of Mr. Ilargest is everywhere uppermost, NAw that the issue is a clear-eut one between Reform and United, every effort is being made by the candidates to wtio the workers.

Owing to smne •’mix-up” in the selection of a candidate the Labour Party is not in the contest. The general opinion is that the Labour vote will go to the United candidate, as Mr. Holland the Parliamentary leader of the Labour Parly, has made it quite clear in leeonl utterances, that the United Party is 'preferable to Reform.