DULL CAMPAIGN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 170, 20 July 1935, Page 11

DULL CAMPAIGN.

LYTTELTON ELECTION.

ELECTORS APATHETIC.

SMALL POLL ANTICIPATED.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this day.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the majority of electors in the Lyttelton electorate arc apathetic towards the campaign now in progress. This attitude is in striking contrast with that displayed when the previous by-election was held two years ago, and it is clear that unless something of a sensational character crops up in the last few days, the poll will be a small one.

The bv-eleetion is not even a popular topic of conversation. In some residential portions of the electorate this apathy is likely to prove a greater handicap to Mr. M. !'■ ■ Lyons, Government candidate, than to Mr'. T. H. McCombs, who has the advantage of a solid band of enthusiasts in those districts where Labour polls well. The inference to be drawn from the absence of excitement at the meetings of the Government candidate in tho industrial areas is that most of the electors have already made up their minds as to how they will vote, and are not interested in what can be said either for or against the Government.

Mr. Lyons has been changing his tactics during the past week, and has becomc a more vigorous defender of the Government, and attacker of the Labour party's policy, more especially in regard to its plan for guaranteed prices for farmers. His supporters are convinced that ho has shaken the faith of many electors in the Labour plan, which lias come into the forefront as an issue in the election, but it is hard to say what effect this line of attack will have. Mr. Lyons is finding it difficult to work up enthusiasm among the people, who, while opposed to Labour, are not favourable to much of what the Government has done. It is in this atmosphere that the election is being fought.

The Labour party campaign managers are doing their best to stir up hostility to the Government, with the object of securing a victory that will be hailed as notice to the Government jto quit at the end of the year, but even they are finding that people are indifferent. Possibly the electors of Lyttelton have had too much of a feast of politics in the past couple of years, and arc regarding the present election as something of a nuisance in view of the early approach of the general election. There are still many observers who think that Mr. Lyons has a chance of winning the seat, but the strangely quiet atmosphere of the campaign docs not lend much support to that view. | The two Independent candidates arc (already so far out of the hunt that few I people even mention them. During the ! past few days the supporters of the I Labour candidate have been making a special appeal to sentiment by emphasising the fact that if Mr. McCombs is returned a world's record will be established, as it will be the first time in history that a father, mother and son will have sat for the same seat in the life of one Parliament. In view of ' the nearness of the general election, this 'appeal is being favourably received by a | number of electors, who have no party allegiances.