IN TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 139, 7 December 1911, Page 4

IN TARANAKI.

In the elections of no part of New Zealand will more interest be taken than in the Taranaki elections. Probably the most important of these is the Eg. Mont contest, because of the participation of the Minister of Agriculture. We need not say we would hail with satisfaction his success, of which we entertain little doubt, as in him we recognise a man of commanding ability who would prove a tower of strength not only to his constituency but to the province as a whole. Wero we in his electorate, wo would, even if we disa«reed with his politics, give him our vote on personal fitness alone. He has made very good headway during the contest, which will, however, be no "boil over." Mr. Dive is a doughty opponent, who, ■being bom and bred in the district, has many friends, and they are rallying round his standard. Mr. Mackenzie should hold his own in the country and gain the verdict in Eltham, which we regard as the key of the position. If it gives the Minister the majority it gave Mr. AVake in the second ballot at last elections he will have a good win. The town of Manaia will gor fairly solidly for Mr. Mackenzie, who should also get good majorities in both Kaponga and Opunake. In the Taranaki electorate, the result will probably greatly surprise outsiders, who may regard the race as already won by the sitting member. Mr. Okey's failure to "make good" and his general unfitness as a representative in that he lacks initiative, constructiveness and leadership, qualities that are so essential in view of the great developments looming ahead of the community, will tell materially against him. In the country he has lost'ground, whilst something in the nature of a land slide has place in town. The supporters of Mr. Bellringer havo been very, though unobtrusively, active, and we may truly nay that in no previous election in the town has Liberal organisation been so complete as it is to-day. The workers, who were hopelessly divided at the last elections and the bye-election, are pulling together almost as one man, and will go solidly for the representative of the party who are working in their interests. The key-stone of the position will be the voting of the no-license party. At last elections they completely deserted the man they were chiefly instrumental in bringing out. If they accord Mr. Bellringer from half to three-fifths of their support on this occasion and Inglewood gives him a fair backing, Mr. Bellringer will top the poll. The no-license people profess their allegiance to him on account of his baremajority views, as against the wobbling attitude of Mr. Oke.y, and it remains to lie seen if they are good as their professions. Mr. Bellringer has no reason to feel other than satisfied with the reception he met with hist evening. It ivaj certainly the most enthusiastic and successful meeting held during the contest and quite equal to any meeting held in the old days. If it can be taken as a reflex of the views of the constituency he should not be far out when the numbers go up. Mr. Forbes won't count seriously. In the Taumarunui electorate we believe Mr.,Jennings' return is assured, and regard it as the safest seat in the province. Mr. Wilson has been very industrious and his platform work is above the average, but they will not avail against the splendid services Mr. Jennings has rendered his constituents, who are neither ungrateful nor unmindful. It is not to be expected that his majority will. be so overwhelmingly largo as it was on the last occasion. The Stratford contest is likely to prove one of the most interesting ones in Taranaki. It has been conducted with great vigor. Both men have large fallowings, and both sides are confident of success. Mr. Hine will poll heavily in the districts inland of Inglewood and between that town and Stratford, but the country inland of Stratford will give a substantial majority to Mr. McCluggage, whose capable platform work and his intimate grip of the land question has been telling in his favor all along the line. His meeting at Stratford last night was an enthusiastic one, and if that enthusiasm is carried into the polling booth Stratford town will give him a substantial lead. A great deal depends upon fhe voting of the railway works men, who control between six and seven hundred votes. Tf they go for the Liberal candidate, Mr. Hinc will lose his seat. The contest for Patea promises to be close. Mr. O'Dea is one of the most energetic candidates there arte in the field, a'nd he has left nothing undone to ensure victory. He should score heavily at the Aramoho end and at Patca. where ho used to live, and in that neighborhood, .'but the election will be decided, in our view, liv the town of Hawera, which in the old days always wont solidly for the Government man, but on the last occasion it turned "sour" on the Liberal candidate, and we are not surprised, for we believe he. was accorded the treatment ho invited. Whether it will return to its old affection we have no menus of ascertaining, but if it gives Mr. O'Dea anything like the majority it formerly gave, to Mr. Major, the result will he the unseating of the present member, Mt. Pearce, who has not ingratiated himself with the electors during the time hiv lias been their representative. Altogether, the results will be awaited with considerable interest to-night.