ELECTION NOTES FROM WELLINGTON.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14194, 7 November 1911, Page 7

ELECTION NOTES FROM WELLINGTON.

(f.PECIAL TO "the tress.")

WELLINGTON, November C,

The Leader of tlio Opposition will shortly start on an active campaign throughout tbo constituencies. He will visit several electorates in tho South Island, including that of Awarua, represented by tho Prime Minister. Ho says the outlook from the Opposition point of view is daily becoming moro encouraging. He has received a largo number of communications, which show that the prospects for tho Reform i'artv's candidates arc most promising. A c-ratiiving fact is that t.onio oi tiieiu who Avo. <_> uoughc to have cjmparan.ely ii.u-o ciianco at. tne uuv.-i-.et uavo fc-o gained ground that thoy aro now receiving support from totally unexpected directions. Air Robert McNab (formerly Minister of Lands) lias been actively engaged in his election campaign in the smaller settlements of the Palmenston districts, lfc is stated that whon he speaks at Palmerston he will enunciate- somo now' land proposals. It is generally anticipated that his contest will be a close one, ending in Mr Uuick's favour. Complaints have been made about the compilation of tho Hutfc rolls and the No-license Party took the matter up, and demanded an enquiry. A secret enquiry was held. Brieliy the chargo was titat in general tho business of tlio Registrar's office was carried on in an tinbusinesslike in an nor. On Saturday tho Returning Officer and Registrar of Electors for llutt resigned these offices-

Mr W. D. Bell continues to mako a gocd impression in tho Suburbs electorate. He is displaying great energy. News from Taranaki is to the effect that tho Hon. T. Mackenzie will require to work vory hard to win the Egniont seat. The "Taranaki Herald," an ably managed and edited journal, which has groat influence in the district, and which formerly supported the Liberals, has now gone against the Government, so that Mr Dive's chances havo improved.

Mr F. SI. B. Fisher, the member for Wellington Central, commouces his election campaign this week. Atlast election he beat the Hon. T. W. Hislop, with all thc Government influence and tho prcstigo of tho mayoralty in his favour, by 143 votes. Ho is being opposed on this occasion by Mr R. Fletcher, a city councillor and chairman of tho Harbour Board, and by somo a closo fight is anticipated. Mr Fletcher has begun rather poorly, and already is in troublo with the Labour candidate, Mr Young, of tho Seamen's Union. Mr Fletcher is a poor platform man, whereas Mr Fisher shines in that respect. At present I sco no reason to alter my opinion that Mr Fisher will win the seat onco more.

Government supporters in the Hawke's Bay constituency are in a quandary. Mr lan Simson is tho candidate with tho Government brand on him, but Mr A. L. D. Frasor, formerly member for Nnpier, is also a Government supporter, but not eosorvilo a ono as Mr Simson. What was to become of a country, Sir Frasor asked, if tho peoplo wero to allow their God-givon rights of franchise to bo usurped by representative, of a Party sitting in Wellington? Such dictatorial action should never bo tolerated by any community. Mr Frasor declared that tho nomination for thc Hawke's Bay seat had certainly not been made by the Government as a Government. He produced n communication ho had received from Sir Jnmes Carroll when ho was Act-ing-Primo Minister, stating that no candidate would bo selected by the Government for any seat in the Dominion whero there was niore than ono candidate standing in tbo Government interests. Sir James Carroll still adhered to this policy, and had stated to him (Mr Fraser) the other day that he bad had no knowledge of Mr Simson's selection until ho saw it publicly announced in tho press.