THE ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 332, 20 October 1908, Page 8

THE ELECTIONS.

NEWS AND NOTES,

CANDIDATES AND THEIR SPEECHES. It is expected tbat the writs for the general elections will bo issued on November 3. s The usual practice is for the writs to bo issued on a Tuesday, poll taken on a Tuesday, and writs to be returnable on a Tuesday. Tlio Governor has yet to announco the' dissolution of Parliament, which he can do at any time prior to November 17, the date to which it has been formally prorogued. Section 90 of the Electoral Act,, 1905, states, with regard to the procedure: "For every general election the Governor shall, not later than seven days after the day of the dissolution or expiry of the then last Parliament, as the case may be, by warrant 'under his hand . . . direct the Clerk of the Writs to proceed with the elections. On the receipt of such warrants the Clerk of the Writs shall, within three days, cause writs to be issued to the several returning officers. Such writs shall be made returnable within twenty-one days. In such writs a day shall bo named for the polling to take place (if a poll is required), and the same day for the polling shall be appointed in each writ." It is further provided that "tho Cleric of tho Writs shall forthwith, on the signing of a writ for an election to be held' in any district cause a notice of the issue of , such writ to be sent by letter or telegram to the Registrar of the district. Every returning officer shallj on tho receipt of a writ, indorse thereon the date of such receipt, and shall forthwith give at least ten days' notice of the day of polling. The said ten days shall be inclusive both of the first day on which the notice is published and of the day of polling." Tho Clerk, of the Writs is Mr. H. Pollen, UnderSecretary of the Department of Internal Affairs.'

The Rolls. ■Thero has been war, in a mild form, between the' Government and the printers of tho Dominion over the printing of the electoral rolls. Hitherto this work has always been done locally, tenders being called in each electorate. This timo it was decided that the main rolls should bo printed at the Government Printing Office, where it was thought that the work could be done more cheaply. Printing" firms protested in vain, and tho work has been done by the Department. But it was too large a task for the Government to print the supplementary rolls as well in tlio short timo available, and printers throughout the country, .laying their heads together, as it is alleged, conceived a plan of revenge. When tenders wore called, about two months ago, for tho printing of tho supplementary rolls, the amounts in nearly all cases were higher than they had ever beon before. In one instance a former rate of about 10s. was increased to 355. This was too much to agree to, correspondence took placo, and tho tender was accepted at 225. 6d. As the result of the alleged agreement among printers, the Government will not save nearly so much on the preparation of tho rolls as it hoped to do by printing the main rolls itself. In defence of the Government's action it is stated that tho Australian and other States print the main rolls themselves, and that this is the natural system.

According to a return made up to September 30, there were then 498,654 names on the electoral rolls of New Zealand, as compared with 483,081 at the date of last election. The totals for electorates near AVollington are as follow, the figures for 1905 being given in parentheses: Patea, 5523 X' 7483); Stratford, 5036 (7483); Rangitikei, 5992 (7416); AVanganui, 7SS9 (8217); Orua, 6170 (5713); Palraerston, 6812 (8652); Manawatu, 6828 (63-15); Otaki, 4411 (5281); Hutt,\ 7564 (7505); Wellington North, 9537 (8750); Wellington Central, 7849 (8500); Wellington East, 9220 (7702); Wellington South, 7048 Wellington Suburbs, 7025 (9570); Nelson, ! 6742,(6441). The comparison is largely affected by boundary re-adjustments. The Prima Minister. The Prime Minister will give a political address in Feilding to-niglit. On Thursday he will leave for the south, and, according to the Timaru "Post," it is probable that ho will deliver an address in South Canterbury, in which case rne "Post" conjectures that Mr. Massey will follow. The Auckland "Herald" states that Auckland is to have another visit from Sir Joseph Ward shortly, and that he will probably deliver a policy speech there. It has been rumoured that Sir Joseph will also speak at Grey Lynn, Devonport, and in several of the country constituencies, but so far nothing is definitely known of his programme. j The Hurunui Seat. For the Hurunui seat there are no fewer than fivo candidates, all of whom have commenced their campaign, and will, wo understand, go to the poll. Mr. Clothier, an Opposition candidato, is now in the district, and his platform should be fairly familiar to our readers, for it differs but little from that of three years ago. Mr. Greenwood, who was late in entering the field, is quite an Independent; otherwise, there is, with the exception of tho liquor and totalisator questions, little dissimilarity between the views of tho two candidates.' Of Mr. Iteiter, not much has been heard lately, though we believo he is still active. His speeches, so far, have proved intensely amusing, and it is impossible to take him seriously. Messrs. Forbes and Pulley are the two candidates who are out and out supporters of tho party now in power, Mr. Forbes being the Government Kaikoura Star." Tho Simple M.P, In their simple way our Ministerialist M.IVs occasionally utter great truths. Mr. Major, M.P., told a banquet party at Kaponga last Friday, in all seriousness, that "it would be a good thing for tho members of Parliament if the life of Parliament wore extended." He added that, "as a natural corollary," it would bo a good thing for the people of tho Dominion!! " Only One Issue." Mr. R. Thompson, speaking at Ponsonby, said he had been told that thero was only one platform as far as Ponsonby was concerned. (A Voice: " No-Liconso every time I") ' It was " No-Licenso, and nothing else," ho believed. (Prolonged applause.) He had no foult to find with that platform, but that was only one issue. (A. Voice: "It is a big one.") Yes, he admitted that, hut thero were other things to be considered, and which deserved attention. Tho Ruinous Railways. Their biggest asset was the railways. They had some £24,365,000 sunk in them, and they had 2469 miles of railways, which had cost £9861 a milo to construct and equip. If they went back eight years to 1900 they found that they had only 2090 miles, which had cost 16 millions, or an average of! £7849 per inilo. Thus tho averago cost per mile had risen from £7849 to £9860. If they went into the question of construction last year, seventeen miles of now lino had increased the amount spent on railways' by £900,000. From that they had to deduct £350,000 for rolling stock. Between Taihapo and Mataroa, the average cost must liavo been about £40,000 a mile. Mr. Cooper contrasted the system of railway construction in New Zealand with that in tho United States, and affirmed that it had cost more to construct tho North Island Main Trunk lino than tho American broad-gauge lino through tho Rocky Mountains. —Mr. J. C. Cooper at Scarborough. The Freehold. Speaking at Ponsonby (Auckland West) last week, Mr. R. Thompson (Independent) said he was a freeholder—(applause)—and lie had always advocated tho freehold. (A Voice: " Why?") He did not care what tho system of leasehold was or what tho conditions were, ho did not approve of leasehold. Thero should bo a clause in all leases to enable tho tenants to convert their holdings into freeholds. (Applause.) It was ono thing to placo people on the laud, hut it was anotlier to keep them there. Under the leasehold what was happening uowf Tho leaseholder never looked upon tho form as his

own, as his homo. Neither did his children look upon the farm as homo, but they drifted away to the cities and elsewhere, merely to crowd , the already crowded labour market. If peopio wero to bo kept on tho land they nnist bo given a facility for sooner or later converting their leaseholds into freeholds. (Loud applause.) An Eloquent Candidate. Eloquence is raro in Now Zealand Parliamentary candidates, but Mr. Nosworthy, one of tho candidates for the Geraldino seat, is ablo to express himself with force and fluency. The conclusion of one of his recent speeches is thus reported:—Every year, while fresh enterprise in new departments was undertaken by the Government, it increased their grip on tho country, until they had become like twitch in good land, and their policy was fast polluting the body politic. It was high time the country cailed in a party with constitutional principles, asserting equal rights to all, protecting aliko from individual tyranny and political corruption those who wish to establish a free landed class, which is the only basis and security for constitutional government. He was standing against a huge organised system of tho government by bribery and corruption, against the centralisation of all power in the Liberal party, for security of tenure, for clean administration on sound party lines, without privilege to the rich or poverty to the poor. The only way for the country to strengthen the sound elements in its House of Representatives was for them to rally their political forces and close up their ranks around a national and commercial and an Imperial policy, so that thoy might bequeathe to their children and to posterity a less encumbered inheritance. Enrolment Claims. It may not be generally known that the failure of any persons to deliver enrolment claims carries with it liability to a penalty, as set out in Section 76 of the Electoral Act, which reads as follows: "Every person is liable to a penalty not exceeding £20 or to imprisonment not exceeding three months who, having obtained possession, of a claim for enrolment signed by any other person for tho purpose of being delivered to the Registrar for enrolment, fails so to 'deliver it so that the claimant's name is not placed on tho roll." A Personal Reminiscence. In a speech at Woodville, Mr. R. B. Ross, a candidate for Pahiatua, spoke of his personal experiences iii Parliament. "When he went there," he said, "ho did so with a blush on his cheek. Now ho felt there was nothing left but the cheek. Ho had found it an exacting school. Everyone there was on an equal footing, the humbjest member was on an equality with tho Prime Minister." Wonderful 1 Say of Islands. Mr. -J. C. Johnson, Opposition candidate for the Bay of Islands, has addressed meetings of electors at several centres. At Waiho there was a large attendance, a voto of thanks being passed, and confidence promised at the poll. At Atakura there was a good meeting, and at Kohukohu the candidate refused a vote of confidence, saying ho was quite content to have it shown at tho poll. Mr. F. J. Rolleston. It was expected that a reply would be received yesterday from Mr. F. J. Rolleston to tho cablegram dispatchcd by his supporters to him at Suez, asking him to stand for'; Timaru. In the event of his consenting to nomination (says the Timaru " Post"), they will do their utmost to further his candidature, and if the date of tho election precludes tho possibility of a personal campaign by him, thoy will do tho best possible on his behalf.. Ready-made Speeches. Mr. Shackelford, the Government candidate for Eden, in a letter to an Auckland paper, denies that all tho new Government candidates had beon-supplied with ready-mado speeches from Wellington. I-Io states that ho has received no such speech or communication, nor any direction by letter or word of mouth from any individual in reforence to any of his utterances, public or private. "The Government," he goes on to say, -"select men of ability, and trust their common sense to acquire facts, and place their own views before tho public. I never yet gave, or attempted to give, a speech, or accept direction from any man or party, as to what my utterances should be, and ask you in fairness to publish this statement."

The VVairarapa Campaign. Mr. W. C. Buchanan's To Wharau meeting was a record for attendance in that district. The wholo of the To Wharau schoolhouso was packed with electors, some of whom liad journeyed a very long distance to hear the candidate's speech, and further seating accommodation had to be obtained from neighbouring residences, in order to supply the increased demand. The candidate delivered an excellent fighting speech, which was received enthusiastically. . Mr. Hornsby, who started off very well at Mikimiki and Fernridge, had poor meetings at Greytown on Friday and at Bideford on Saturday evening,' although at Greytown he was given a vote of ' confidence. There appears to be every reason for believing that the county vote this election against tho Government will bo particularly strong. Marsden. Mr. F. Mander, member for Marsden, opened his electioneering campaign by addressing a large number of electors in the Theatro Royal. Ho approved of several Bills passed by the Government, but passed a severe criticism on the new dairy regulations, the Shearers' Accommodation Bill, and tho Second Ballot Bill. Points from Mr. Hardy's Speech. Tho following are some points from Mr. C. A. C. Hardy's speech at liakaia Ho wag not afraid of tho men who talked in Cathedral Square, but bo was afraid of the Socialists in tho Houso and in the Ministry.

The Government had not resisted Socialism. Tho Opposition member's had done that with their backs against tho wall. The people should keep a strong Opposition in the House no matter what party was in power. Ho was strongly in favour of quinquennial Parliaments. Ho argued that' under the present system the first year was spent "breaking in " new members; the second in doing work; and tho third in talking to constituents through Hansard. He favoured a fivo .year term of office, or, failing that, certainly four. Local Option at Masterton. In connection with the local option pall at tho next general election, tho figures of the 1905 vote are interesting (writes our Wairarapa correspondent). The records show that, of the 5223 valid votes which were cast, 3023, or 110 fewer than the necessary three-fifths majority, were for No-License. Since o 1905 tho boundaries of tho electorate have been altered. Fernridgo, Kaituna, Te Nui, Castlepoint, Langdalo, and Bideford are the principal districts which have been taken from tho Masterton electorate to Wairarapa, carrying with them about 300 No-License votes, against 170 in favour of continuation. There have been added to the Masterton electorate from Pahiatua tho district of Hinomoa, '.Mangatnaire, Tane, Saunders Road, Haunui, Maknri, Konini, and Kaitawa, in wliich the No-License votes aggregated 272 against 251 for continuation. Tho continuation has therefore benefited by something over 50 votes by the change. A Candidate for Ashburton. At the close of an address at Tinwald on Thursday, Mr. David Jones, an Opposition candidate for the Ashburton seat, was asked whether ho was being " run " by tho Farmers' Union. Mr. Jones declared tho Farmers' Union had nothing to do with his candidature. He had been approached by a largo body of farmers representative of tho various districts in tho electorate. Tho Contest for Dunedin Central. Mr. J. M'Donald, Mayor of Dunedin, yesterday definitely announced himself as a candidate for Dunedin Central against Mr. J. F. Arnold. lie will stand in the Government interest. " If returned," ho says, "my honest endeavour will bo to give my vote from time to time in tho interests of that which will do the most amount of good to

tho greatest number of people. lam absolutely free and unfettered so far as any organisation is concorncd, but I trust that all organisations will help mo in this election. My politics will bo of such a liaturo that the" public genorally will always know which sido I am on." The Government and the Railway Men. Speaking in Cathedral Square, Mr. F. R. Cooke, a Labour candidate for Christchurch East, said that the Government bad shown littlo sympathy towards the railway men, who had been discharged for refusing to do strike work during tho maritime strike. Those of them who had been taken on again after the Liberals were returned to power had to take subordinate positions. At the present time about seventy of them were entitled to pensions calculating the whole of their time in the service, but the Government insisted on their time being reckoned from reinstatement, or the Railway Workers' Union paying to tho Government £1500. Such an action, in face of the spending of thousands of pounds fc6 welcome tho American Fleet, spoke volumes. The railway men wero being forced to suffer for the very thing which carried tho Liberal party into power. The Taranaki Seat, On all sides it is expected the contest for the Taranaki seat is going to be a keen one. Mr. Okey, the sitting member, opened. his campaign last night at AVarea. Mr. AY. G. Malone has been electioneering strongly ever since the night of his defeat at the by-elec-tion, and afternoon teas, stock sales, and bridge openings have been loyally attended. Mr. 1 C. E. Bellringer, tho • Government nominee, is Taranaki-born (as is Mr. Okey). He has served his term as borough councillor, was at one time town clerk at New Plymouth, and is deputy grand-master of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows. He is an out-and-out No-License man, and ex-presi-dent of the Primitive Methodist Conference. Great things depend on how the NoLicense vote goes. Leader of the Opposition. Mr. AV. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, intends to deliver a speech in Auckland or at Devonport prior to the elections. In the course of his address, he will reply to utterances by Ministers. - Auckland West. There is a persistent rumour that even at this late date an attempt will be made to induce an Opposition candidate to take the field in City West, and the name of Mr. C. J. Parr, chairman of the Board of Education and city councillor, is being freely mentioned. Mr. Parr, when approached some time ago, declined to stand, but there is a probability of his being asked to reconsider his decision. The candidates at present announced are Mr. Poole (tho sitting member) and Mr. R. Thompson (Independent). Some Keen Contests. Tho country constituencies in Auckland provinco seem to promise far more interesting contests than tho city seats. Feeling is already running high in Kaipara and tho Bay of Islands, while Tauranga, Opotiki, Ohinemuri, AYaitemata, and AYaikato promise very good polling. Jottings. Ho considered that the Government was a borrowing and a squandering Government, which would borrow off a newspaper-boy if thoy could, and if the security wero considered good enough.—Mr. Hasolden, at Waihi.

The surpluses the Government from time .to time boasted of should be devoted .to repaying the English bondholders, instead of to purchasing votes and being expended in other questionable ways.—Mr. C. A. C. Hardy, M.P., . '

It is anticipated (says the "Gisborno Times") that the number of electors for the Gisborno constituency will be about 8500. Mr. John P. Luke, Liberal candidate for Wellington Suburbs electorate, announces that he will address tho electors in the State Schoolroom, Tawa Plat, to-morrow evening, at 8 o'clock.

Thirty-seven tons of type metal, representing the type of the main electoral rolls for the whole Dominion, have been set by tho Government Printing Office since November last.

Mr. Hordman's meetiug at the Sydney Street Schoolroom will bo held on Tuesday next, October 27 —not Thursday, as stated yesterday. Mr. Herdman will deal specially with' tho question of removing the Civil Servico from. Ministerial control.

WELLINGTON SOUTH. , Mr. Forbes addressed a largo number of electors at tho Alexandra Hall last evening. The candidate spoke on the land question, and said that the land must be turned into a wealth-producing factor. He advocated freehold, one man' one homo, and did not believe in Socialism, which ho thought- was too near already. Mr. Forbes declared himself an individualist; and advocated tho abolition of tho barmaid, and majority rule on the liquor question, as well as on any other question. The Ward Ministry, in legalising bookmaking, ■ had legalised the worst class of gambling, and proved that they were fencers. He did not favour conscription. If a Liberal Government was returned, he would support it, but would not support the present Government. If the electors wanted a true representative, he contended that they must return a man with an independent spirit, a man not bound t-o partyisin. A vote of thanks and confidence in the candidate was carried.

Last night in St. Thomas's Schoolroom, Newtown, Mr. Chapman, Labour candidate for 'Wellington South, addressed a meeting of tho Newtown branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners. A vote of confidence in Mr. Chapman was passed. mm; Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P,., held a meeting at Silverstream last evening for the purpose of forming a committee. Mr. J. P. Wilkins was in the chair. After an address had been given by tho candidate, a strong committee of mon and women was formed, with Mr. J. P. Wilkins as chairman, Messrs. F. jlenzies and P. T; Potter as vice-chairmen, and Mr. N. J. Bennington as secretary.

WAIRARAPA. (by teijegrapb.—special cokuespokdent.) Masterton, October 10. At his Te Wharau meeting Mr. Buchanan made special reference to the injury which was being inflicted upon settlers through the _ Government neglecting to retain the services of Mr. Gilruth, and also made allusion to the failure of tho Government to expend votes for bridges and roads during the past two years, until now, when the State alleged that it intended to spend a quarter of a million.

CHALMERS. IBY TELKGRAFH —Fit ESS AS3JCIATIOS.)

Dunedin, October 19. Mr. E. H. Clark, who contested Waikouaiti seat at tho last election, has decided to stand for Chalmers against Mr. E. G. Allen. Mr. Clark will give a general support to the policy of the present Government. KAIAPOI, (BY TELEGRAPH—PItESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, October 19. Mr. R. Moore, a candidate for Kaiapoi, addrossed his first meeting at Papanui tonight. Ho announced himself an opponent to tho present Government, and said ho favoured tho freehold, an elective Upper Houso, and spoko against Socialism. He was accordcd a vote of thanks.

RICCARTON. (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, October 19. George Witty, Government candidate for Riccarton, addressed tho doctors to-night in support of tho general policy of tho Government, and received a voto of thanks and confidence.

OAMARU. (DT TELEGRAm —rRESS ASSOCIATION.) Oamaru, October 19. Mr. J. Mitchell, who opposes tho Hon. T. Y. Duncan for Oamaru, addressed a good meeting of electors this evening. He pronouuood himself a smwortar of the lease-

hold tenure. Hb said the school syllabus was being overcrowded, and children were not receiving as good education as years ago. Ho defended the Minister for Labour against the attacks made upon him by the unions. Ho favoured the policy of the present Government, but claimed the right to freely criticise their doings. A vote of thanks and confidence was accorded.

BRUCE.

MR. LOUDON RETIRES. (BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Milton, October 19. Owing to serious indisposition overtaking him to-day Mr. John Loudon intimated to a large public meeting to-night that he had decided to retire from the contest for the Bruce seat.

NELSON. (B7 TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Nelson, October 19.

Mr. John Graham, 'M.P., addressed a large meeting of city electors to-night on political questions. Ho was accorded a good reception, and at the close a vote of confidence was carried unanimously.

TAIERI.

, LABOUR LEGISLATION. (BI TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Dunedin, October 19. Mr. J. T. Johnson, candidate for Taicri seat, addressed the electors at Mosgiel tonight. The meeting was well attended. The main plank of his platform was that _ the workers should have more facilities for righting their grievance than existed at present. He advocated the amendment of the industrial law to enable any worker, irrespective of a union, to claim the assistance of the Arbitration Court to regulate wages, laying down as a condition precedent that Parliament should provide legislation enacting a living wage. In the event of an industry under existing conditions being unable to pay that living wage, he suggested, that the State should have power either to take over the industry, or in part take it over .with a stipulation that the minimum be the living wage stipulated by the Industrial Court. He announced himself as a supporter of the present Governmennt. He was accorded a vote of thanks.

TARANAKI.

SPEECH BY MR. MALONE. (BY TELEGRAPH—PEESS. ASSOCIATION.) New Plymouth, .October 19. Mr. W. G. Malone, who is standing as a supporter of the Government,; opened ' the campaign to-night to a large house. He spent an hour and twenty minutes criticising the selected Government candidate, and the alleged method of selection, ' to which he claimed he had not submitted himself. He expressed himself a strong supporter of the Ward Government, but while a strong friend would not be a slave. He claimed to be a strong freeholder and opposed to a Native aristocracy. Native lands- should all, except that required for the Natives' use, be sold and the interest paid to the Natives. He reviewed at length the measures passed during the Ward Government's tenure of office, and claimed that not even the Administration of Government could now bo assailed on any point. He spoke for two hours and a half, and was accorded a vote of thanks.

FORTNIGHTLY PAYMENTS. (BY TELEGKAFH—I'RESS association.) Christchurch, October 19. Many Government servants here are anxious to get Parliamentary candidates to pledge themselves to endeavour to secure that Government servants in all departments shall be paid fortnightly, instead of monthly, finding that monthly payments, especially in small townships, necessitate men with families running in debt to retailers at prices mucli above current rates. Monthly payments also tend to enlarged accounts and against thrift.

AGAINST THE RULES.

TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL AND PARTY POLITICS. [BY TKbEGftATH —FRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, October 19. At a meeting of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, considerable discussion took place on a motion to support tlio Socialist candidates at the general election. The president ruled that the council could not deal' with the motion, as the rules of the council did not permit the discussion of party politics. A motion that the president's ruling should be disagreed with was lost on being put to the meeting, and the. ruling was upheld by a largo majority. .

THE AUCKLAND SEATS. '

AND THEIR CHANCES. (BT TELEGUAI'H.—STKCIAL COKKESrONDENT.) Auckland, October 19. Whatever may be the results , of the elections from a party point of view, it is certain that the country districts of the north are going to send back straight-out freeholders. There is no room for doubt on this score in Auckland country electorates, and any Government candidate who has any chance at all has declared freehold principles. In respect to its land policy, the Government will sustain a severe defeat in Auckland. In fact, there is every prospect of Auckland returning a substantial majority of Oppositionists and Independents out of its nineteen members who will, by the. way, constitute one-quarter of the entire representation of the Dominion in the next Parliament. The three electorates- north of Auckland— Kaipara, Bay of Islands, and Marsden—are looked upon as pretty safe for the Opposition. It is considered that Mr. Mander, tlio sitting member for , Marsden, has no really - serious opposition to face, while Mr. Johnston is regarded as pretty safe for Bay of Islands, and Mr. Harding should defeat Mr. Stallworthy fairly easily for Kaipara. - . , In Waitemata, the chances of Mr. Phillips (Opposition) are distinctly good, and the retiring member (Mr. Alison) was a pronounced Oppositionist. Eden is safe for Mr. Jolm Bollard, while Tauranga will send Mr. Herries back, and Bay of Plenty is looked upon as a sure thing for Mr. Gow.

In" Waikato, Mr. Greenslado will have a tough fight against the Opposition candidate, Mr. Allen Bell, whose return would be practically assured wero it not for_ his favouring the bare majority at the licensing polls. Mr. Nicholson, Independent with Opposition leanings, may bo able to defeat tile Hon. G. Fowlds for Grey Lynn, but at any rate Parnell is expected to be lost to the Government. Mr. Lawry was elected last time on a minority vote.

In Taumarunui there is a good prospcct beforo Mr. Bowater, who is standing in the Opposition interest. In City Central the pr.ospects of Mr. Kidd, tlio sitting member, arc less rosy, while Mr. Poole's political feats in the House have lost him a great- number of supporters. Mr. Baitmo is fairly safe for City East, and ho is indeed the only Government member, except tlio Hon. J. M'Gowan, of Thames, who is assured of return.. Mr. Lang, the Opposition candidate fof Manukau, has but little serious opposition. TOiNICHT'S MEETING. Candidates' meetings advertised for this evening are as follow:— Otaki Electorate—Mr. Byron Brown, Town Hall, Motu Rimu, 8 o'clock.

Suburbs Electorate—Mr. ,W. T. Young, Parochial Hall, Kareri, 8 o'clock.

Otaki Electorate. —Mr. Ficldj the School, Waikanac, 8 o'clock. Wellington South. —Mr.. R, A. Wright, Ful-ford's Hall, Brooklyn, 8 .o'clock.

Wellington Central.—Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, Druid's Hall, Taranaki Street, S o'clock. Wellington South. —Mr. Robert Hogg, St. Thomas's Schoolroom, Newtown, 8 o'clock. Wellington Suburbs.—Mr. F. T. Moore, the Church Schoolroom, ICiaivarra, 8 o'clock. Hutt Electorate. —Mr. Wilford's committee, "Chronicle" Buildings, 8 o'clock.

Wellington Bast.—Mr. David M'Laren, Hoseneath Sohoolroomj 8 o'clock-