POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 139, 7 December 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL.

ANOTHER CHARGE EXPLODED. ALLEGED DELAY OF MAILS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargill. 'Last Night. Regarding the alleged holding up of mails by the Postal Department in the north, the Premier says the statement published by the Opposition papers, "that an extraordinary order % the Government has jnst been revealed which illustrates the extreme lengths to which the Ministry has decided to go in anxiety to stem the tide of reform feeling," is absolutely untrue. "The Government," lie says, "has given no order of any sort in connection with tho liolding up of mails in any part of the Dominion. (.In reading the statement this, morning, I telegraphed to the head of the Postal Department, and asked him what it meant. lie replied that one of tho Opposition papers had posted some newspapers! containing a mock ballot paper, which «,vas illegaf, too late for d< livery in the country before Monday. The Solicitor-General, prior to last general election, advised it was illegal to deliver anything,in the shape of mock ballot papers during three days before the elections. The head of the Department advises that he consulted with the Crown Jaw officers again in connection with the present matter, and had been advised that the Department has acted properly, and that where mock ballot papers are posted prior to the elections within a prohibited time, they are either returned to senders or delivered the day after the elections. So that the statement that the Government interfered in any way is absolutely untitle. I heard nothing of it till I saw it published this morning. The Postal Department has treated everybody alike and no distinction has ever been made. Needless to say, had any action on the part of the Government been necessary in the present case, if was certain the question would have been referred to me as Postmaster-General for decision, whereas the first I knew about the matter was when I saw it published this morning." THE PREMIER AND THE PRESS. Invercargill, Last Night. The Premier attempted to keep his appointment to address the electors of Stewart Island to-night, but the tug had to put back as, had she continued, she might not have been able to return from the island. Sir Joseph addressed the inmates of tho charitable institutions at Lome Farm this afternoon, and had a big meeting at Kennington to-night. He was accorded a good hearing and cheers. The speech was mostly on familiar lines, contracting the Reform Party assertions that messages from Wellington published by certain papers this morning in regard to holding up the mails. Sir Joseph Ward characterised this as a deliberate and infamous line, and the work of one man, who wasn't acting in the interests of his journal or of the people. In answer to a question, Sir Joseph said he was going to have an enquiry made concerning the expenditure of all public money spent in the electorate, and if tho money was spent improperly it would have to be refunded. A vote of thanks ami confidence, cheers, and the singing/ '*>f l; He's a jolly good fellow," and the presentation of two bouquets ended the meeting. AUCKLAND MEETINGS. Auckland, Last Night. Many political meetings were held in Auckland to-night, and great enthutiasm was displayed by the supporters of both parties. At all the meetings of the Reform Party's candidates prolonged cheers were given for Mr. Massey, and at Devonport his candidate was carried shoulder high. Mr. Massey himself was an Manurewa. Sir John Findlay addressed a crowded meeting at Newmarket. The meeting was favorable and enthusiastic, although there were frequent interruptions from hostile but small sections of the audience. IN CANTERBURY. A KEEN AND CLOSE CONTEST. Christchurch, December 5. As the day of election approaches the interest in the elections- increases; amd it is evident now that the contest is going to be keen and in several constituencies very close. There has been no striking change in the prospects of candidates and parties during the last day or two, but in one or two constituencies there are rumors of a large sectional vote watching the attitude of candidates on the education question witk some expectation of developments. In Hurunui, to begin in the north of the province, Mr. Forbes appears to be quite safe, and probably he will win by a larger margin than he did three years ago. Mr. Buddb is still being sorely pressed in Kaiapoi, and the latest reports suggest that Mr. Blackwell, an Independent Liberal with strong Government leanings will be in the second ballot with the Minister. Mr. Isitt has had crowded meetings throughout the campaign in Christchurch North, and has overshadowed' his opponent on the platform, but the Opposition is concentrating all its forces on this constituency, and the friends of the Independent Liberal will be content if he is returned by his former majority. This, probably, he will secure. A wee.k ago Mr. Davey's friends expected him to win from his three opponents on the first ballot, but last night Dr. Thacker declared in favor of State grants to denominational schools, and this is said to have transferred a thousand votes to his side, and to have ensured his having another run a week hence. Finally, however, the old member must be returned. Mr. Ell is having a strenuous fight in Christchurch South against Mr. Whiting, a Labor candidate, pledged against the Opposition, but the tip to-day is that Mr Ell will win by a fair majority. The struggle in Avon is between Mr. Russell and Mr. McCombs, an Independent Liberal, who is receiving strong prohibition support, and though the old member is not so confident as he was three weeks ago, the indications are that he. will be returned. Mr. Witty has most to fear from Mr. Sullivan, the Labor candidate, in Riccarton, and it looks as if he will have to submit to the ordeal of a second ballot, but that is the worst that can happen to him. Mr. Rhodes will again represent Ellesmere, but Mr. Armstrong, an Independent Liberal with little political experience and none of the personal advantages of his opponent will poll well, and probably reduce tho old members' majority. Mr, Dickie continues to gain ground in Selvvyn, and people who know the district well predict that he is going to capture the seat for the Government from Mr. Hardy, whose friends admit there is going to a very close contest. Mr. George Laurenson is regarded as a certainty for Lyttelton, but the Opposition has taken up Mr. Cook, the Independent Liberal, and this will give some interest to the contest. If the Liberals can be persuaded to

stand together in the inevitable second ballot in Ashburton they will win witli Mr. Kennedy, but the Liberals seldom do stand together in this fashion, and the indications point to Mr. Nosworthy's return. Mr. Buxton is having the best of the fighting in Temuka, but he has two Opposition candidates to meet, and if their forces combine for the second ballot, the old member will have no great margin at the end. Mr. Craigie's friends are very confident of success in Timaru, but with every other brand of candidate represented in the contest, he may have to go to a second ballot. ]t is reasonable to suppose, however, that in the event of a deciding tussle Labor and Independent Liberalism would come to his- assistance. Mr. Smith, the Opposition candidate, in still favorite for the Waitaki seat, but if reports are to be trusted a good understanding between Mr. MacPherson's and Mr. Paul's supporters will land him into a second ballot, and possibly defeat him there. News from the West Coast suggests easy victories for Sir Arthur Guinness, Mr. R. McKenzie, and Mr. Colvin, and a narrow win for Mr. Seddon. THE OPPOSING ARMIES. TO-DAY'S GREAT BATTLE. To-day the electors of New Zealand will be called upon to return seventyfive representatives of European constituencies. There has been one unopposed election, and there are four Maori constituencies, this making up the eig-hty electorates which return members to" the House of Representatives. There is no lack of competition for the honor. The nominated candidates total 222 in number, and their political faith is professed tk.us:—> Ministerial 80 Independent Liberal 255 Opposition J37 Independent Opposition ... 6 Labor .33 Independent i§ Socialist 5 I Prohibition 1 THE LAST PARLIAMENT. STATE OF THE PARTIES. The general elections of 1908 resulted m a majority for the Government over the Opposition party (leaving three Independents and one Labor representative out of the calculation) of 28, the parties being represented thus:— ' Government 51 Opposition 25 Independent 3 Labor 1 The three Independents were Messrs. F. M. B. Fisher, J. Duncan (Wairau), and T. E. Taylor. The last-named, who died in August, was succeeded by another Independent, while Mr. Fisher goes to the electors this time as an Opposition supporter.