THE SOUTHLAND SEATS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16702, 10 December 1919, Page 11

THE SOUTHLAND SEATS.

iSPECIAr. TO ,f THE TRZSS.") IXYERCAIUIILL, December 0. So far as appearances go, there is a lack of interest in the elections in Southland. From what can bo seen, most people have lons made u?> their minds regarding tho way they ;ire going to vote, and arc treating the .ither candidates with a measure of good-natured tolcrnnee. Hut it must be remembered that there is always a large section who do not talk, but act. and in one or two of the electorates this undercurrent may have an unexi>e<ted effect. There can be no gainsaying that the present member lor Invercargill <Mr .1. A. Hanan) ha.s lost a good deal ot support by a certain lack of irankness with the elector-. H«; did not open hi-; campaign until a we»-k ago, and then hi, >ir-ccli was rather disappointing. Further than saying that lie would support. the Liberals On a no eonfidonee motion, provided th»* Government was composed of inen to suit his taste, ho did not give an explanation of lii.v party standing. But Mr lianan is rather fortunate in his opponent. The Rev. Mr Archer lia« expounded .-onus extreme I<abour views that have not won the popular approval, but his party con-

siders that they have at lea.st a. good lighting chance. Mr J. C. Thomson, the present member for Wallace, is receiving good receptions on his campaign, but so is Mr Adam Hamilton, who is opposing bim in the lU'form interest. Mr Hamilton, it worth noting, was approached by a very representative deputation of farmers to eon test the seat, although he is a resident outside the electorate. Those closely watching politic;i 1 events reckon on Mr Hamilton receiving about half the agriculturist- vote, but the telling balance they think will be with Mr Thomson. The Mat aura seat, was evidently looked ou as a good thing by aspirants tor honours under the f>alxuir banner, as there are three different varieties of Labourites contesting it. but Mr J. i». Anderson should lie secure. He is likely 1o bo run fairly close, however, by Mr A. C. McLachlan, the accredited Lalwur representative. Mr McLachlan is himself a small farmer, and will probably get solid support from members of tho same ola.=s. I There not. much difficulty in picking tho resnlt in the Awarua c<Viistitn-| ency. Still, Sir Joseph Ward is upj against a very popular Winton business man in Mr J. K. Hamilton. j