The Bush Advocate. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27. THE BATTLE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XI, Issue 864, 28 November 1893, Page 2

The Bush Advocate. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27. THE BATTLE.

The great tlectoral battle which is beiDg fought to-day must, we think, result in a decisive victory for the Liberal party. The signs of it are in tho air. The wild enthusiasm that has greeted the Premier wherever he has spoken shows conclusively that the Government is intensely popular throughout the country. We doubt indeed if at any time in the history of New Zealand there ha 3 ever been a government that attained such a hold upon the affections of the masses. That being the case, and it can scarcely be disputed, it will not be surprising if tha Government are successful jn to-day's contest. But there is another point that gives them a long start in the race. The Premier and the Treasurer have been returned unopposed. In nine of the electorates, namely, Marsden, Thames, Waikate, Waiapu, Weßtport, Inangahua, Timaru, Chalmers, and Inrercargill there ia not a single Opposition candidate. There are thus eleven seats as good as won before the contest bsgan. Against this ulr Allen, an Opposition member, has been returned unopposed for Bruce, leaving the Government party with a clean start of 10 out of the 74 seats. This is a heavy handicap. From a careful study of the remaining seats we have come to the conclusion that the Government will win at least a majority of 10, at that, if we are right, they will go back to the House in strength unassailable. However, tha hopes and fears cf either party will be settled in a few hours from now. We trust that whatever the result may be the victors will bear their triumph with modesty and moderation, and that the vanquished will tqke their defeat with a good grace. We hope also that any bitteruess that may have been aroused between contending factions will bo allowed to die away as night closes over tho field of battle and the grey dawn announces ths arrival of another day.