WELLINGTON ELECTIONS:

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 267, 10 November 1928, Page 12

WELLINGTON ELECTIONS:

THE PORTENTS REVIEWED,

LEADERS GETTING ANXIOUS,

DULL TIMES AND LITTLE CHANGE.

g (By Telegraph—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON,: this day. Electioneering conditions in the Wellington area 'give"little indication of change; in fact the general quietness is" giving some concern to local political leaders, who are left anxiously wondering, in the absence of clear evidence, what is going'to'happen. _ ' ■ . Particularly devoid of signs and portents is the licensing position, though the reduced activity of "dry" advocates causes them to run'serious risk ol lessened support in the Wellington area, which includes Wellington East, Wellington South, and Wellington Suburbs, three constituencies where the local ..restoration -issue is a subject of decision. The most likely constituency to make a change is Wellington' East, where Mr. Forsyth, the retiring Reform .member, is faced with'his ex-chairman of committees,' Mr. J...J. Clark, an official Reformer. This split is likely to make, a gift-of the seat' to.Mr. Semple (Labour), and will be.a case of reverr • sion to its original party allegiance. . Wellington South has a.three-cornered contest, actively pursued by -Mr. McKeen, the retiring-Labour member. Sir. M. F. Luckie, senior City Councillor, is standing in the Government interest, and Mr. J. Burns for the United party. Though Mr. Luckie's good campaigning will make him the runner-up, it is probable that will be-the best he can do in so safe a Labour area. _ Another "safe" Labour seat is Wellington Central, which Mr. P. Fraser has carefully cultivated .by much local effort between polls. Mrs. Young (Independent Labour) is not taken seriously, while Mr. A. D. Sloan (Reform), though on a losing hazard, is doing good party service by keeping, so' experienced a Labour candidate as Mr. Fraser tied up to the district. A few weeks ago Wellinnton North'was regarded, as the open: event, because Sir John' Luke, the Re-, form member, Iras a straight light against Mr. Chapman (Labour). The member lost Marge .blocks ■ of votes through boundary changes, and it remains to be seen liow the many public servants in the constituency will-express themselves over a grievance carefully fostered by Labour relating to the Government's failure to Tcstore cuts made in salaries during the last retrenchment. There is a fairly large Eeform vote in the area, and Sir John Luke is said to be carrying support from the liquor'interest, thus he may win, though nobody appears confident. His opponent ha; not been impressive, on the platform,.a factor which makes Sir John Luke's chances more hopeful than at the commencement of the camPa piatform work is Mr. T. M. Wilford's strong point in Hutt, where he faces Mr. W. Nash, National Secretary of the Labour party, a well informed but uninspiring speaker. Mr. Wilford should hold his seat, and can take credit in this event for winning it by hard campaign-; ing. ■ • . , ■ ■': '" Thus the Wellington position" reduces itself to 'one possible Labour win at Reform's expense, the remaining seats bein" unchanged. There are no suggestions of change in the. country areas ol the province, Mr. W. H. Field, (Government) being likely to retain Otaki, and th Hon. A. D. McLeod should again win Wairarapa by a good majority.