ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 325, 12 October 1908, Page 6

ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

NOTES FROM THE CONSTITUENCIES. OPPOSITION PROSPECTS: MR, MASSAY'S FORECAST. How will the Opposition candidates get ofi at- tlio elections? asked a reporter of Mr. Massey. '"I think tlioy will do well," replied th' Leader of the Opposition, "but further thai that, I do not intend to predict. We hav« done our duty in the House, and the future rests with tlio electors." Do you expect the second ballot system will make much difference to the result of the elections P "Not oil the whole, though it is an ex« perimcnt the effect of which no one car iorseo. There arc all sorts of possibilitiei in connection with it, but in some cases 1 have good reason to believe that the effect will bo exactly the opposite of what th® Prime Minister expects. In the 'courso of an interview with Mr. R. R. Martin, Opposition organiser, who is at present in Wollington, tho question of tho prospects of his party at the coming elections was discussed. _ Mr. Martin saio that it was, of course, impossible to pro phesy tho result of tho elections, but henao every reason to believe that, not only would tho present Opptisition members who wero again contesting their seats be re-elected, but tho Opposition strength in the hew Parliament would bo considerably increased, more particularly in the North Island. Therf was undoubtedly, Mr. Martin said, a general desire, ©specially in the country, to have an Opposition numerically stronger than at present, and more than ordinary interest jWould bo concentrated on the coming elections. WELLINGTON CENTRAL. Questioned by a Dominion representative last evening as to a rumour that he had docided not to contest the Central seat at the forthcoming elections, tho Mayor, tho Hon. T. W. Hislop, replied—"There's no truth in it." , , Then you havo definitely decided to contest the seat? asked tho reporter. "Of course I have,'' ho said. WINDER V. M'LEAN. "Fair Play" writes in defenco of Mr. W. M'Lean. Mr. Winder, in his address at the Clyde Quay School, 1 asked was ho (Mr. M'Lean) known for any humanitarian or social work which might give him a special claim? "Now, if a candidate for a Beat in Parliament has a special claim on tho grounds of social and genuine humanitarianism," writes "Fair Play," "than Mr. M'Lean is tho man." "Fair Play," writing from personal knowledge, credits Mr. M'Lean with "constantly striving to do all the good he can for the bonefit of his fellow but, with rare native modesty, he nevei boasts or talks of what he is doing for otb crs. He lacks tho cast-iron cheek and brazer effrontery of some candidates—his good works speak for themselves and require no platform advertisement. . . . With 'regard to tho more political trend of Mr. Winder's aspersions and his oft-repeated use of that utterly indefinable word 'Liberalism,'- I have nothing to add. Mr. M'Lean suroly requires no one to back him up on that head." .

' CREY LYNN. AN INTERESTING CONTEST. It was easily apparent that electoral feeling is already drawing decidedly '.'warm" in Grev Lynn, whore ono of tho biggest fighta in tne Dominion is expected. When the audience gathered at St. George's Hall to hear Mr. Oliver Nicholson, the Independent Liberal candidate, on Thursday evening (writes our Auckland correspondent), numbers of people wore unable to gain admission. Long before eight o'clock every available seat was occupied, and standing room was at a premium. Extra seats were provided in ,front and the platform was crowded, but" even" then there wore many people trying to force their way in, and at last they ranged,up tho aisles in a closely packed mass. The candidate wap accorded an enthusiastic reception, being greeted with prolonged cheering, and whilo there were intorruptious at times and some humorous sallies, Mr. Nicholson was, on the whole, accorded a most attontivo hearing. In stating his platform, tho candidate said: "I am not seeking to be returned as a social reformer. If elected I will pledge myself to do my best to secure sound government. I will do my best to seo that the accounts of this Dominion are properly kept in a businesslike manner, and that sufficient details are given to the people to enable them to grasp the manner in which the funds aro expended! I will insist on tho equitable expenditure of the public funds without fear or favour, and without any question of whether certain districts have returned Government or Opposition nominees. I will assist in a policy of retrenchment; and see that due economy is observed in tho expenditure of tho publio funds."

At the last election Mr. John Farrell put up a good record against Mr. George Fowfds, wlio only wpn by a narrow margin of votes.This time Mr. Fowlds Ims the added prestige of bis position as a Minister of the Crown, but nevertheless Sir. Nicholson is working strenuously, and is backed by very strong committees. The licensing question is being imported into tho election. "OVERWORK." Speaking at Hamilton, Mr. Alan Bell; a candidate for the Waikato seat, referred to tho complaint- made by the Ministry that they wero overworked, and said if they would devote their time to their duties instead of racing round tho country opening a' school here and a post office somewhere ' else, for the purpose of getting votes, there would be no necessity to complain of being overworked. During the next few months they would find Ministers travelling round tho various electorates using their influence and thoir position with tho public purss behind them to induce people to support any follower of tho party. It spoke very little for a man if ho could not bo elected to Parlia- ' nient without being backcd up by Ministers during his candidature. (Applause*) He would be thoroughly ashamed if it wero necessary for tho leader of his party to come there and address them and try to influence vote" on his behalf. , ■ BAY OF PLENTY. CBY TKLEGRAI'H—press association.) Rotorua, October 10. 3]jr. Gow, the Opposition candidate for tin Bay of Plenty,' addressed a largo meeting last night in tho Assembly Hall. v Ho received a great reception; He dealt" with tht legislation of tlia present party anent tin advances to settlors, country roads, second' | ballot, Rotorua-Gisborno railway, Thermal Springs Act, workers' dwellings, land laws, and many other matters, referring to the callousness of the Government for the welfare of tho people. He was repeatedly applauded during tho delivery of the address. Several questions were put and answered satisfactorily. A, voto of thanks was aocorded. TIMARU SEAT. Timaru, October 10. A petition in circulation, asking Mr. James Craiprie, Mayor for tho past seven years, to allow hiniseir to bo nominated as a candidate for the Timaiu seat,' is . beinf largely signed. Mr. Craigie he intended, at the expiration of his Mayoral term, to take a holiday trip to and rotire from public aifnirs, but if ho is assured, that'it is the wish of tho people of Timaru ho will consent to stand. DUNEDIN CENTRAL. . Dunedln, October 10. Pressure is being brought to bear on the Mayor of Dunedin to stand for Dunodin Central, but he takes the chivalrous view and will not give an answer one way or the other till Mr Arnold comes homo. ANNOUNCEMENTS. Mr. Byron Brown, a candidate for the Otalci seat, will speak at the Hall, Puckakariki, to-night, and at tho Sehoolhouso, To Horo to-morrow night. His other fixture! aro advertised. Mr. C. H. Chapman, Labour candidate for the Wellington South seat, will address tho electors at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, at eicht o'clock to-niaht.