THE SUBURBAN SEATS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 282, 28 November 1931, Page 8

THE SUBURBAN SEATS.

The Coalition agreement has been respected in the campaign to this important extent, that there are many fewer three-cornered or fourcornered contests than there were in 1928, and there is all the more freedom for the opinion of the people to express itself. But of the seven Auckland seats that may be classified as suburban, three liave two candidates in three others there are three candidates, and in the seventh there are five. The greatest amount of confusion will be caused in Eden, where Mr. Stallworthy, who has represented the constituency with energy and ability and was an excellent Minister of Health, is opposed by an Independent Reformer and two Independents, besides a Labour candidate. We believe that Mr. Stallworthy's qualifications Avill give him the victory over these four, but it is plain that personal ambition among the Independent candidates is endangering his hold and exposing the electorate to the risk of returning a Labour candidate. The electors of Eden should realise that the real issue is between Coalition and Labour, and show the Independents what ■ they think of their intrusion.

In Hauraki there is a straight-out contest between Coalition and Labour, and if the by-election is a guide, Mr. Massey should have no difficulty in retaining the seat. In Manukau Mr. Jordan ,is opposed by a Coalitionist, but does not appear to be in any danger, and there are many folloAvers of the Coalition Parties to whom another victory for him would not be displeasing. Mr. Jordan is of the moderate Labour type with which Liberalism used to work amicably and successfully, and he has been a useful member who has enjoyed the rcspect of all. Nor should Mr. Mason find it difficult to hold Auckland Suburbs in a straight-out contest. Mr. Mason is also one of the steadying influences in the Labour Party. It would be a misfortune, to say the least of it; if the Labour Party gained many seats, but it would also be a misfortune if if lost the services of experienced men of moderate opinion. The choice in Parnell should not present any difficulty to supporters of the Coalition. Mr. Endean's claims are far stronger than those of the other candidates. He has Parliamentary experience and has proved himself an energetic and capable representative. In Waitemata Mr. Harris is opposed by an Independent and a Labour candidate, and the electors should see to it that Labour does not slip in between- the other two. The Roskill contest may be troubling some electors who are impressed, and naturally, with Mr. Holdsworth's record as a public man, but even that record does not justify Mr. Holdsworth in splitting the antiLabour vote and so improving Labour's chances. Mr. Munns has a better claim to the support of non-Labour voters, and if they wish to make the defeat of Labour certain they will concentrate upon this candidate.