AUCKLAND EAST SEAT.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17292, 2 November 1921, Page 6

AUCKLAND EAST SEAT.

FORECAST OF TO-DAY'S POLL. (special to "the tress.") AUCKLAND, November 1. The campaign in connexion with the Auckland East by-election, which closed to-night hits been a remarkably quiet one, the) only animation introduced boJng due to the Hon. G. W. Russell's vigorous platform work. In this respect Mr Russell has had an advantage over all his opponents, and shrewd campaigner that ho is, he lias pushed this advantage to the utmost. His meetings have been animated throughout, and, on the whole, he his met with a surprisingly good reception. Mr C'utha Mackenzie, on the other hand, has been working very qirot'y, and h:is not put so much vim into his campaign as he did nt the general election when lie went so cluso to defoatir<j the Hon. A. M. Myers. His speeches however, have indicated that he is ;v serious and Eromising student of politics, a«d he as timo on his side.

The votes of the extremists will go to the Labour candidate (Mr J. ALee), who supports the Official Labour Party's programme. The "Herald" this morning remarks that "Mr Lee i.s an extremely pleasant, and, if he will permit the' compliment, an exceedingly creditable, type of Socialist. His personal preference may be stronjt'y for constitutionalism, but he has accepted the Labour platform, and the rigorous discipline of the party without qualification, and ho is to "bo judged quite a 9 much by what Messrs Holland, Fniser and Howard say, as by what ho himself says." Mr G. H. Foster, the Independent candidate, is hitving what may be termed merely a preliminary canter, with a view, no doubt, to becoming better known before the next general ©lection.

It is still difficult to predict with certainty the result of to-morrow's poll, but Mr Mackenzie should win comfortably. Some would have it that Mr Russell will .fill the rolo of runner-up, but good election meetings do not by any means mean votes, and it seems more likely that Mr Lee will fill second position. Mr Foster is certain to he a bad last, on his showing to date, but even he may poll more heavily than many anticipate.