THE ELECTIONS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 236, 9 November 1914, Page 11

THE ELECTIONS.

LIBERALS AND CHRISTCHURCH EAST. A PECULIAR POSITION. DR. THACKER'S CANDIDATURE NOT OFFICIALLY ENDORSED. There appears to be a lot of disunion in the Liberal camp in, Christchurcli East, which will take some straightening out before the election. There are three candidates now in the field, each of whom, no doubt, hopes to be the recipient of the "Liberal, Labour, and Progressive" vote on polling day.

The latest accession to the list is Dr H. T. J. Thacker, who has been nominated by the Canterbury Liberal and Labour Association, and is pledged to support the Liberal Party with Sir Joseph Ward as leader. It seems, however, that though lie has received the approval of the Opposition orgay, he has not yet received that of the Liberal leader, Sir Joseph Ward. The position so far as the Liberal and Labour Association is concerned is that the association communicated with Dr Thacker, asking him if he would contest the seat as a Liberal candidate. Upon receiving a reply in the affirmative, the association nominated Dr Thacker, their action being quite independent of the Liberal Party. Sir Joseph Ward, who was seen by a Su\ r representative this morning, said that he had not made any selection on behalf of the Liberal Party. The association had acted quite independently, and he was not disposed at this stage to interfere. The sum and substance of Sir Joseph's remarks was that Dr Thacker could not be regarded, at present, at any rate, as the '' official'' Liberal candidate."

I The Social-Democratic candidate is I Mr. Hiram Hunter, and it is no secret ' that the S.D.P.< is-looking to the Liberal Party not to put up an "official" candidate against him, Mr Hunter being pledgee] to vote with Sir Joseph Ward in no-confidence divisions. The nomination of an "official" Liberal would ; very seriously annoy the Social-Demo- < crat Party. The complication has arisen through the defection of Mr T. H. Davey, M.P., from the Liberal Party. Mr Davey has announced that he is standing as an Independent. The Liberal and Labour Association, which is not affiliated with the Liberal League, dropped Mr Davey, and is very unwilling to adopt Mr ,i ;Hunter. SELWYN. !

! MR SHEAT'S CAMPAIGN. Mr George Sheat, the Government cani.didate, addressed a meeting at Russell's J Plat school, in the teeth of evidently organised opposition. He succeeded in satisfying his audience and a three to one 'vote of confidence was carried, on the motion of Mr Searle. Mr. Seymour, county chairman,, took the chair a,t Springfield, and in introducing the candidate said that from experience he knew Mr Sheat "hit. hard, but never below the. belt. " A unanimous vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr ' Neutze, seconded by Mr Mcllraith, was carried. . , Mr Sheat alsp.held a very successful meeting at Glenroy on Saturday night, when Mr G. E. Hunt, chairman of the school committee, presided. In reply to a question re Mr.Hamlet's candidature, and the proposal to meet that gentleman on a platform and allow the meeting to decide between them, Mr Sheat answered: —"I decline to drag polities to the level of a dog-fight. It is too sacred a matter to be trifled with. The issues of this young nation are in the balance, and I ask you, ladies and gentlemen, to decide now.'' A unanimous vote against such a course was carried, and. Mr J. Atkinson proposed a vote of confidence, which Mr Samuel Roseveare seconded.

Mr George Sheat speaks at Dunsandel this evening. AVON SEAT. Mr D. G. Sitllivan addressed a meeting at ..the corner of Stanmore Road and Cashel Street, on Saturday evening, Mr R. presiding. A vote of thanks and confidence was passed. Mr Sullivan speaks at North New Brighton to-night, and at the corner of Buckley's Road and Linwood Avenue to-morrow evening. Mr G. W. Russell, Liberal candidate for Avon, will commence his campaign after Carnival Week. KAIAPOI SEAT. Mr David Jones will " address the electors at Southbrook to-morrow night and at Clarkville on Wednesday night. The Hon. D. Buddo's candidature will be supported by addresses by various speakers on his behalf. Sir Joseph Ward will speak at Rangiora, Mr Atmore and Mr Wilford at Kaiapoi, Mr G. W. Russell at Marshland, and probably at Woodend, Mr Witty at Belfast, and Mr G. W. Forbes at Oxford and Cust. Okoka and the other centres will also receive attention.

ELLESMERE. The Hon. R, Heaton Rhodes, who arrived from Wellington yesterday, will probably open his election campaign next week. HURUNUI.

Mr W. A. Banks, the Reform candidate for Hurunui, concluded at Hundalee on Friday a series of very successful meetings, which have been held in various parts of the country. He addressed the electors at Lyndon Downs, Kaikoura Town, Hapuku, Kaikoura Suburban, Clarence Bridge, and Hundalee, and was favourably received at each meeting. CHRISTCHUBCH SOUTH. Mr H. G. Ell's friends and supporters are invited to meet him at the Methodist Schoolroom, corner of Crescent Road and Selwyn Street., to-morrow evening at 8 o 'clock.

A meeting of Mr Whiting's committee will be held at the Central Committee Rooms, corner of Colombo Street, Sydenham, and Stanley Street, to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock.