NELSON AND WAIRAU SEATS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17631, 7 December 1922, Page 8

NELSON AND WAIRAU SEATS.

(spicial to "the rrass.") J NELSON, December 6. The contest for the Nelson seat has been energetically conducted by both candidates—Mr Harry Atmore, the sitting member, who is standing as an Independent Liberal-Labourite, and Mr Albert Gilbert, as a straight-out supporter of the Reform Party. Mr Atmore lias been campaigning in Nelson for the last twenty years, and has a strong persona] following. Whatever political views Mr Atmore held, he would be assured of a considerable personal following. The Reform can-.i'.uato is making his firet appearance as such, although he was formerly closely assorhted with politics on the West Coast, ile has made the contest brisk from the start, and much defends on the silent vote. At the same time Mr Atmore is expected to romp home with a substantial majority. _ Quite a feature of the campaign is the large number of people who desire to vote for the Massey Government and also for Mr Atmore. One of Mr Atmore's leaning supporters, in a letter to the "Mail," states in effect that, Mr Massey is assured of a s :fe majority, and the electors can well <iiford to take advantage of Mr Atmore's servicos as their representative. Many electors,' •while realising Mr Massey's worth, are so confident of his victory that they feel they can afford to vote for Mr Atmore on other grounds. Needless to say, Mr Gilbert's supporters are strongly combating this argument. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") BLENHEIM, December 6. The general estimate is that the contest for Wairau will be a fairly close one. On the strength of the voting at last election, Mr R. McCalium should, in ordinary circumstances, secure a substantial majority, but it is quite on j the cards that his singular attitude as j a lenderless Liberal will turn- the bal- J ance in favour of Mr W. J. Girling, the , Reform candidate. This factor is an | unknown quantity, and the issue is very I uncertain. ; The probabilities are that this electorate will again vote in favour of continuance. The Prime Minister's undertaking to reform the liquor trnffio is believed to be having a good deal of quiet influence. From all accounts it would not be surprising to see an increased vote for State control by way of indicating a desire _ for reform in preference to Prohibition. AUCKLAND'S CLEAN CAMPAIGN. (SPECIAL TO " THE PBESS.") AUCKLAND, December 6. The election campaign has ended, and the supporters of all parties profess confidence in the success of their candidates. The position has shown no change during the past few days, and the Government appears capable of holding its own in Auckland province. Parnell is still an open contest and Messrs Dickson (official Reform) and Wren (unofficial Reform) have been hav- \ ing a merry duel. Mr Wren has displayed a keen sense of humour of late and has invariably delighted his audiences with his quick retorts. He cannot be ignored to-morrow. In all other electorates the previous forecasts still hold good, and there is the usual element of uncertainty in many of them which only the combined voice of the electors can set at rest. Taken all round, the campaign in the north has been conducted in a remarkably fine spirit and. with one or two exceptions there has been no bitterness displayed. The sectarian issue has been largely left alone, and the candidates can, in most cases, congratulate themselves on having conducted a clean campaign.* MR MASSEY AT PAHIATTJA. : (PEBSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.) PAHIATTJA, December 6. • Mr Massey was accorded a tremendous reception in the King's Theatre here, there being an overflowing audience. He spoke for about an hour and a half, and a motion of thanks and confidence in the Government and ; n Mr A. MoNtcol was carried enthusiastically. A LIVELY MEETING. | (PBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.) AUCKLAND, December 6. Seldom ,has an Auckland candidate had to face so ill-mannered and uproarious an element as that which tonight attempted to break up Mr Albert Glover's meeting at St. James's Hall. The meeting was one of uproar and confusion from start to finish. A majority of the audience appeared favourr able to Mr Glover, but the strength of lung and sheer rowdyism on the' part of the agitators prevailed. The row started before the chairman Was. allowed to say a word. The candidate struggled valiantly through a recital of what he had done in Parliament. The conclusion of his speech was lost in an earsplitting tumult of cheers for Labour, counter cheers for the candidate, whistles, groans, and the sound of a mouth organ. DISPLAYING THE RESULTS AT SUMNER. i The Sumner Borough Council has completed arrangements for displaying the results of the elections throughout the Dominion at the Council Chambers. Besides the use of a lantern and slides, the returns will be tabulated on two sheets, one for each island, in printed foim sufficiently large to be read from the main street.