DUNEDIN CONTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 106, 7 May 1935, Page 8

DUNEDIN CONTEST.

LABOUR MAYOR'S CHANCES. CLOSE VOTING EXPECTED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DUNE DIN, this day. i Never previously in the history of municipal elections has Labour made such a big anil organised bid for the return of its candidates as on this occasion, but it is likely to be disappointed so far as getting a majority of city councillors is concerned. Chief interest, of course, centres round the Mayoral election, for which there are three aspirants—the Rev. E. T. Cox, the present Mayor, who is to be the Labour Candida to for the Clutha scat; Mr. J. J. Marlow, the deputy-Mayor and a councillor of long standing, and Mr. R. S. Black, who lias been twice Mayor and was beaten by Mr. Cox at last election.

With a triangular contest the result is always difficult to forecast, but tomorrow's election will probably resolve itself into a close fight between Mr. Cox and Mr. Marlow. Mr. Black, who was expected to split the Labour vote, has had one or two rowdy meetings of late, and is not likely to poll as well as was at first expected, and Labour can now be expected to vote solidly for Mr. Cox. Mr. Marlow will have the ratepayers' vote, and with the Citizens' Committee behind him and the backing of a majority of his fellow councillors, is sure to poll heavily. He has been a faithful and hard-working councillor for some 30 years, and is extremely popular with all sections. His return would be well received, and seeing that his two opponents have both had terms of office, the ratepayers generally feel that he is entitled to have his services recognised.

Labour, however, must be seriously reckoned with, and if its supporters are as numerous as it claims the contest will bo close; in fact, never for many years has such interest been taken in the Mayoral contest. Mr. Marlow, whose supporters are very confident, will give hia final address in the big Town Hall this evening.

Thirty Candidates for Council. For twelve seats 011 the City Council there are 30 candidates, both the Citizens' Committee and Labour having "tickets," while a few are standing as independents. Tho present members of the City Council seeking re-election, who include three Labour members, Messrs. F. Jones and J. W. Munro, M.P.'s, and Silverstone, are almost certain to be returned. With the exception of these three, the councillors seeking re-election are on the Citizens' ticket, and ths remaining scats to be filled will probacy come from other than Labour ranks, though Dr. •McMillan, one of its nominees, has a good following.