WELLINGTON.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 124, 15 November 1902, Page 16

WELLINGTON.

Electioneering is proceeding apace, albeit quietly. Ladies' committees are constantly being requisitioned, and it is a common thing to be brought to bay by a charming damsel, or other wise, and to be asked . "Have you any objection, to Mr. Thingumbob's candidature?" Mr. David McLaren fired his first shot last Friday, on the wharf, and disclaimed any right to the title of a "fat man." He is a Labourite, of course, and, apparently, very much in earnest. Mr. George Fisher has been nominated 1 He has not commenced the attack yet, but, from what is known of him, and his occasional threatening demeanour, he intends to finish desperately. Dr. Findlay, of legal fame, has been persuaded to stand for a City seat, and his committee made the plan of campaign last night. He deals with things in general to-night. He is rather late in the field but maybe he is a Fisher seoundus and a desperate finisher. Mr. John Duthie, in pursuance of his "Iron Duke" policy, abates not one jot or tittle of his asseitions that the Government is deceiving the people. By the way. he declared, in his opening address, he would not deal with personalities. Was that why he remarked that it was uo to the Premier to return to his Kumara sludge channel, whatever that may mean ? Mr. A. R. Atkinson is still speaking to the people, and writing to the press and endeavouring to wean the people from following "the Able-bodied Beggar." He has) expressed similar political views each time he has faced the music and, if he has said anything wrapped in mystery, there is always the dailv press. He was an early bird, and is reaching out for that worm with much earnestness. He is confining himself to prose epics lately. Mr. P. J. (yßegan does not look like a waverer, but he is on the Grovernniient "ticket" without pledging himself to vote with it on any measure against his conscience. Well, perhaps he will not have to. The Government may be of good behaviour, and its conscience of a similar calibre to his own. It is to be hoped so. We are led to understand by Mr. O'Regan, and a good many other candidates that sand and sea alone; the Hutt line will give place bo houses in the near future. P. J. OR. states his views with remarkable clearness and force. Mr. Allan Orr, as the Codlin (not the Short, mind you) of the people, has views that have been pjlaced before Arbitration Courts, Conciliation Boards, unionists' meetings, and commissions. It is believed that he will not withdraw, and leave Mr. McLaren to romp home by any number of lengths hei thinks fit. Mr. John Hutcheson is not a candidate. Thought we would just mention this, as the daily papers might lead you into the error or supposing that he was fitting his armour on again. Mr. J. G. W. Aitken, since his preliminary burst, has been saving powder. His ladies' committee, however, is working hard', and he has gathered ammunition for to-night (Friday), and subsequent days are to be thickly strewn with mayoral pearls. Let us hope that they will fall before nothing of a porky nature. Mr. Godber, like the personification of energy he is, is taking nothing for granted. Elsewhere, there is a full statement of Mr. Godber's recent utterances. It will pass a pleasant five minutes, and will leave you in no doubt as to what hk platform is. He inspires confidence.