WELLINGTON NORTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1918, Page 4

WELLINGTON NORTH.

PLATFORM MHUITS OF THE OYNDIDATKS. (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, Feb. 21. This week's campaigning in Wellington North lias made one fact quite clear. The most ell'ccl.ive speaker among the four candidates is Air. Holland, with Mr. Poison well beaten for second place and the other two now'licre. The meetings addressed by Mr. Luke and Mr. Brandon are flat and unprofitable except when a Labor rnterjeetor makes a lictle noise. Mr. Holland, on the otUer hand, makes vigorous fighting speeches. He concentrates on ihe sins of the National Government and keeps nis anti-war, lied Fed opinions i n the background to a large extent.- lie is probably winning votes on the platform. Last night Mr. Holland was obviously embarrassed by a # question on the subject of the National Anthem. He said that he did not, object to people singing "God Save the King" if they wanted to, that personally lib did. not sing at all at any time, thai- the King was o: Herman descent and that. tin. questioner ought to be in the trenchesj but he was on thin ice until the chairman ruled the subject out.of order. His attacks other band, arc, effective, and his hard hitting on the -''cost, of living question and other local tuples' please his audiences. The only other man who can get large audiences of AVellington North electors is Dr. Tliacker. What platform, superiority is going to be worth on polling day remains to be seen. AWII informed people are saying still that Ihe National Government candidate will lead, but Reformers are increasingly anxious to get one of their candidates out of the way. Thev feel that the splitting of the vote is risky in the face o.: the strong bid Labor is miking Tlij Labor wndidale, when stating his ai>.t'-e'.?n-i'. : |.li-.'ii view-, n carn.n t„ add that the. election will have no bearing upon the war. He waxes sarcastic over the notion ta.it the Kaiser nil! pay attention to the decision of the electors at a New Zealand by-elect ion Mr. Alafscv took occasion to point our. i i-nigiit (hat as a matter of fact the. Germans show a considerable interest in the divngs of the iJominions- IVforc the Alibi ary Service Act came into operation in this country, (he German newspapers were telling their readers of the shortage of recruits here. A few weeks ago wlien Mr. Ma.sF.ev made a statement locally about the German colonies in the Pacific, the Germans were quick to reply through tlwir Press. 7'he victory of'an anticonscripiion. anti-war candidate at a by-election would be sure to provide it least a pleasant paragraph for thq German newspapers