RENEWED EFFORTS AT THE SECOND BALLOTS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14223, 11 December 1911, Page 8

RENEWED EFFORTS AT THE SECOND BALLOTS.

(SPECIAL TO " THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, December 1J). A* snlendid enthusiasm was the keynote of a social gathering at which Mr and Mrs Herdman entertained Mr Herdman's election committee, to the number of eighty, last evening. . Both men and women on this committee have done remarkably good work, and the organisation has been simnly perfect. Indeed, it is doubtful whether there has' been a better organisation in any electorate during the present election, both in regard to canvassing, getting people on the roll, and getting electors to the poll. Many of the principal workers on Mr Herdman's committee have now decided to work in the interests of Messrs Fisher, Wright; and Newman, tho three Opposition candidates who topped tho -polls for the other three seats at the first ballot. The women workers are particularly keen. It has been ascertained that Mr Fisher secured his present position at the top-of the'poll with a very small organisation and /with only one- or two cabs, one of which was a one-horso vehicle, while the Government side- had several cabs and motorcars at work. Mr Wright, 1 understand, , had no vehicles to assist him, and his organisation was defective. An effort will now be made to remedy these defects. . Mr Martin, the Onnosition organiser, speaking at Mr Herdman's social last night, mentioned that the Reform Party were only. ! one member out m their calculation in regard to those returned on the first ballot, and that one was to tho cood.. He looked forward with confidence to the second ballots, and remarked that every single one or their candidates elected or still in the second ballots was a credit to the Reform Party. (Cheer 3.) Mr Masscy, _he added,'was in splendid fighting trim, and was going into tho King Country to work night and day for one of the finest candidates who had ever stood in the interests of Reform, namely, Mr Hockley. (Cheers.) Until-Thursday night he would know no rest, but he (Mr Martin) was satisfied that when the numbers went, up their leader would have every reason to be satisfied with his fmlendid achievement. Mr* Herdman announced that as his presence was not now needed in tho Wellington electorates, he would leave on Monday to assist Messrs Sykes and Escott in their campaigns m the Masterton and Pahiatua districts. (Cheers.) He would speak at Eketahuna on Monday, Masterton on 'luesday, and Pahiatua on Wednesday. The evening terminated with cheers for Mr Massey, and the singing of "Auld Lane .Syne" and the Nationalj Anthem. It is interesting to know that at the second ballot of the last election no candidate did worse than to secure 30 per cent, of the votes cast against the beaten candidates in the first ballot. •Under these circumstances Mr Dickson, the Opposition candidate, should have a fairly easy win in Parnell, while Mr Bell should bo absolutely certain for the Wellington Suburbs seat. Tho latter requires only .16 per cent, of tho defeated candidates' votes to win. Sir Joseph Ward arrived hero to-day, and it is stated that he teleeraphed to tho Ijabonr leaders to meet him at Awarua House in the morning.