THE WELLINGTON ELECTION.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8072, 15 January 1892, Page 6

THE WELLINGTON ELECTION.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, January 14. The latest incident in the election struggle has been the quotation by Mr McLean of figures purporting to show the difference between the amount of taxes now paid by the Bell family, and others, and what they would have to pay under the land and income tax. Mr Bell admitted the accuracy of the figures, but* attacked in scathing terms the breach of secrecy, declaring that the information could only be got from the property tax returns. He exonerated the Commissioner, however, and Mr Crombie fri—»_»lf declares that no Minister has ever had access to the information in the Department, and would not be allowed to see it if he applied. Mr McLean has been challenged oy his opponents to say where he got the figures' from. He is understood to give a Dunedin paper as his authority. The followers of Mr McLean are betraying increased boldness as the convincing day draws near. Until recently the betting was in favour of Mr Bell, but yesterday and today a marked change has come over affairs, slight odds on Mr Bell being readily accepted. It was said that one wager of £150 to £100 was laid. The betting is now practically even, and Mr McLean's' supporters are extremely confident. Mr Bell's friends, however, are eager for the poll. Mr McLean's explanation of how he obtained the figures about the taxation of certain properties is that he took the Government return published in 1889, and worked out the calculations himself. They appear to have come approximately correct in some respects, but in others Mr Bell does not admit their accuracy. , !

;>• ( Later.

To-morrow's election is the only matter discussed in town. Both sides are working with great zeaL Mr Bell addressed a crowded meeting at the Opera House tonight, and Mr McLean held forth to a very large gathering in the open air on the reclaimed hind. At the latter's meeting several of his supporters, including Mr Hogg, M.H.R. for Wairarapa, addressed the gathering. Each side appear to be very sanguine and a keen contest is expected. It is expected that the result of the election will be declared about nine o'clock.

[from our correspondent.]

WELLINGTON, January 14. The great political struggle culminates to-morrow. Even on the very eve of the battle it is exceedingly difficult to "spot the winner" (in sporting - phrase), and there is the wildest . discrepancy among the current estimates of tomorrow's polling. There are extreme men on both sides who indulge in the most extraordinarily sanguine conjectures as .to the majority their man will score. A prominent supporter of Mr Bell, as' I telegraphed last week, estimated his majority at fully a thousand. An ardent follower of Mr McLean to-day reckoned his candidate's majority at "certainly 2000." Ministers still refuse to believe that the Opposition can possibly win a city seat. The Opposition remain firmly confident in their ability to return Mr Beil, the Government; having deliberately staked their political fortunes on the cast of this die. It they lose they cannot fail .to experience a serious damage to their prestige, and if they win they simply maintain the status quo. As, the result of my latest inquiries, I find that the best judges of electioneering prospects believe that the contest will be very close, that the polling will be large beyond all New Zealand precedent, and that the winning man will go in only by a very narrow majority. Most of them, capable judges, believe further that Mr Bell will be the man, but a few think the Government party strong enough to carry in their, candidate, notwithstanding his being far from a strong one. On the other hand there are still not wanted some who hold that a sharp surprise may yet be sprung on the world, and that either man may be finally resolved upon by a considerable section of the Labour Party is even yet uncertain, and is the subject of all sorts of extraordinary rumors. So j too, is the action of the Civil servants. Some profess a fear of Ministerial reprisals if they vote "for Mr Bell, and declare that they will not vote, at all, as they are not satisfied that the secrecy of the ballot is absolute. It is believed/however, that most of them will vote for Mr BelL Some 'colour has been given to their expressed distrust of ballot secrecy by some curious occurrences relative to the property tax. Mr McLean held up Mr Bell to obloquy as a bloated capitalist, and quoted sums on which he paid property tax. Mr Bell virtually admitted these charges to be correct, and a howl of indignation ensued .at this extraordinary revelation of official secrets, seeing that property assessment secrets are by law,as those of the grave—inviolable. Nobody "for a moment suspects the Commissioner of revelations, yet somebody must have been treacherous of.his trust, else how could Mr McLean have learned Mr Bell's taxable property so accurately. This is a mystery, ana I hear that a Select Committee of enquiry into the matter will be moved for in each Chamber when Parliament next meets. So people not unnaturally argue if one-official secret can thus be got at by the Ministerial candidate, why not another? There are conflicting rumours about the Roman Cathoac vote, but the probability still seems to be that no block vote at all will be given, but' that the electors will simply consult their respective personal .predilections. And now I hayp really told you everything that can be .told;about this memorable election. Another twenty-four hours will see all settled, and it will have become a thing of the past. ■