POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 137, 5 December 1911, Page 8

POLITICAL.

SOUTHERN SEATS. SOME PROPHECIES. By Telegraph—Special to News. Dunedin, Last Night. The Dunedin Star this evening says that the chief interest centres in Dunedin West, North Wakutipu and Oamaru conteists. Mr. Millar's friends are confident he will win on the first ballot, but indications do not favor that view. Undoubtedly there is a feeling of unrest among the railway employees, which will make itself felt at the polls. Personally, we (the Star) do not think that the number of railwayman in this electorate can have any appreciable effect on the re- | suit, though the Opposition declare that this nun lias a good fighting chance

of winning the Central seat. Accounts brought in by Mr. Arnold's committees on Saturday night are so so encouraging and his organisation so complete that, if careful counting of heads is worth following, he must score I at the first try. | Everybody puts Mr. Thompson at the ] head of the poll .at the first count, but there is a great divergence of opinion as to who will be the runner-up. Mr. London, who has the Ministerial label, lias for the principal members of his committee men who were the main supporters of Mr. Barclay in all his contests, They are rare grafters, and know the temper of the constituency, but the candidate's indecision on vital issues must prejudice his chance. On the other hand, Councillor Douglas, who has pronounced strongly for the leasehold, has gained a lot of ground in the last fortnight, and his friends assert confidently that he will remain in the second ballot. The issue of the Oamaru contest depends entirely on the attitude of Mr. Milligan's supporters. Mr. Duncan will head the first ballot,

with Lee well up. If the Milliganites decide to go for Liberalism, apart from licensing issues, the old membi.r will go back. Whether Sir-Joseph Ward made any impression at Milton on Friday night remains to be seen, for the key of the position lies at Milton and Lawrence, the latter having always given a decided majority for Mr. Allen. Mr. McKinlay will poll heavily at Kaitangata, Stirling, Lovell's Flat and outside places.' This will be one of the keenest fought contests in Otago. Mr. Frascr's chances of holding Wakatipu appear to be wholly dependent on receiving substantial leads in the Southland part of the electorate, for it is generally believed Mr. Home will beat him handsomely in Central Otago. It was expected, a Minister would speak at Clyde this week, but no one could get there in time, by reason of previous engagements. Sir .Joseph Ward, however, will motor to Balclutha in support of Mr. Livingstone's candidature, but Mr. Malcolm has no reason to fear being rejected. Mr. Clark will head the poll for Port Chalmers on the first 'ballot, and his close attention to local requirements, for which he has been a great battler during his Parliamentary career, will just enable him to turn the tables on Mr. Johnson, who expects to have a big majority in the old Taieri electorate. This will bo discounted by the attachment to Mr. Clark of the majority of the Port people and those, residents of West Harbor who appreciate past favors and expect more to come. Clutha County and Ida Valley will rally to the standard of Mr. Scott. Roxburgh and Molyneux Valley will rally to Mr. Bennetts, who has b<>en a useful member of the Takapuna County Council, while North Taieri, Alexandra, and the surrounding districts will stand by Mr. Mason. If the Liberals sink all their minor differences and give undivided support to whoever remains in the ballot. Mr. Scott may have great difficulty in retaining the seat for the Opposition. There will be no alteration in the representation of Dunedin City, nor will I Bruce, Clutha. or Oamaru be altered, but J Wakatipu will go to a Ministerialist, i

THE REFORM PARTY. MR. MASSEY'S MANIFESTO. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The Leader of the Opposition has issued a manifesto to the electors of the Dominion. Before casting their votes he asks them to remember that the Reform Party lms submitted a definite, straightforward and progressive policy whilst the Government has gone to the Cm '''^',: v i th no P nlic 7- Ho continues: . •Iho Reform Party offer. a sound and self-reliant policy, with mi efficient financial administration, as compared with the reckless extravagance and frenZicd finance of the Ward Government. Hie Reform Party would bring about an era of progress in New Zealand, such as is drawing the world's attention to Lanadii at the present time. The Reform Party offers a progressive land policy, the truest and best policy in the interests of every man, woman and child in the Dominion. The Government has no suofi programme." In conclusion, Mr. Massey savs the Keiorm Party was never more vigorous than it is to-day. Its programme stands out clearly above the fog of abuse and misrepresentation with which its opponents seek to robe it. At last elections its support from the electors was increased enormously. "Throughout the country there is a rising tide of public feeling against the Liberalism of the \v ard-Carroll-Findlay Government. I hope and believe that the tide will sweep le present administration aside like useless lumber, and go irresistibly on towards progress, prosperity, reform and | opportunity. I ask t) le people of New Zealand to show their opinion of the (iciyennnei)l's underhand electioneering ami abuse and misrepresentation by ivip°mg on I the Government majority If electors believe in stagnation, spurious

Liberalism and a system of ."ovcniment by a political despot, let them vote for » • On the other hand, if Uic\ believe m progress, genuine Liberalism anil equal opportunities for all as I am confident they do. they will vote tor (in: Reform l'arty." opposition: rally ix u ki.i.ixmov Wollinglon. T.:i,t Xjght. J he Opposition Candida l.es for the four " ellin<rlon City seats and the suburbs seat addressed a crowded an t enthusiastic meeting at the Town Hall to-nin-ht 'inner (lie auspices of the Wellington bianch of the Women's Reform League. -Many people were turned awav before took the platform. A lesolution, "That in the opinion of this meeting a change of Government is desirable and that the meeting pledges itself to support tho Opposition candidates for Wellington City and suburbs." was declared carried by acclamation.

HON. NIiATA AT ROTORUA. Rotorua, Last Night, Hon. Xirafn to-night addressed a lar<r e meeting here, trenchantly criticising the natives hnd nolicy as si-t forth by Mr Hemes recently.

MR. BELLRINGER'S CANDIDATURE. Mr. 0. E. Bellringer's addressed tlie electors at Currington Road on Monday night. There was a good attendance, much the largest of any meeting held there, during the present campaign. Mr. Marr was in the chair. Mr. Bellringer dealt fully with questions of Liberal policy. He quoted the letter sent to | Mr. McNab by prominent Opposition supporters regarding the alleged Mokau | scandal, and said that it was the most | utter and complete condemnation of | Mr. Massey's methods and tactics that could have been given. It was a knockout blow for that party. A vote of thanks was unanimously passed. Mr. Bellringer had a busy day on Monday. He met the settlers at Tarurutangi at 7.30 a.m. and discussed political matters with them. In the evening at 0.30 lie spoke at the Upper Carrington Road Sawmills in one of the huts, receiving a vote of thanks and confidence. At S p.m. he addressed the electors at Carrington Road School.

TAUMARUNUI ELECTORATE. MR. WILSON AT WAITARA. St. John's Hall, Waitara, was crowded last night, when Mr. C. K. Wilson, the Reform Party Candidate for the Taumarunui electorate, gave his second address. The speaker, who has a happy style and is a fluent speaker, received a "cordial hearing, and was frequently applauded. He criticised the Government administration and dealt with the Reform Party policy at length. At the conclusion of the address lie was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence, on the motion of Messrs.' G. V. Tate and Davidson. This was carvied by acclamation, the candidate also being accorded three rousing cheers. Our report of the address is held over, and will appear to-morrow.