NOMINATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 101, 26 October 1925, Page 8

NOMINATIONS

CLOSE AT MIDDAY TO-MORROW

Nominations oi' candidates close at midday tomorrow.

SEATS IN THE NORTH

REVIEW OF THE PROSPECTS

PEW CHANGES EXPECTED,

(BX TELEORAPU.— SPECIAL TO THE TOST.)

AUCKLAND, This Day

The political battle is now raging fiercely and loudly—very loudly as a rule at meetings addressed by opponents of the Labour Party—throughout the Auckland district. While a few of the results seem to be 100 doubtful to warrant the naming of probable winners, one feels justified in venturing to this extent in the case of a majority of the seats in the province:—

In the city of Auckland warm fights are being waged, but it is unlikely that there will be any change in the representation of tho three constituencies. Mr. Parry, who in 1922 defeated the atoretimo invincible Albert Edward Glover by a thousaud votes, should be able- to easily retain the Auckland Central seat for Labour, seeing that the non-Labour votes aro being divided between Reform and National candidates. Tho position is similar in Auckland, where Mr. Lee (Labour) is opposed by a, Keformcr and a Nationalist. In a single-handed contest three years ago Mr. Lee wrested tho seat from Mr. CJulha Mackenzie (Reform) by over 700 votes. In Auckland West, Mr. Savage (Labour) has a straight-out contest with Mr. Oldfield (Reform), but although the latter is putting up a good fight, the strong Labour vote, should be surlieent to again return Mr. Savage. In Grey Lynn a resolute and well-sus-tained attack on a Labour stronghold is being waged by Miss Melville (Reform), who enjoys the position of being the Dominion's only woman candidate on this occasion. In 1922, when there was a, straight run between Labour and Reform,. Mr. Bartram (Labour) retained the seat by a margin of 1400 votes, and he should be able to win again comfortably. Parnell should again be the prize of Mr. J. S. Dickson, whose opponent, Mr. Way (Labour), is not one of the strong men of his party. Itoskill is again faced with a triangular tussle, tho retiring member, Mr. Potter (Reform), being opposed by Messrs. Hnll Skelton (Liberal) and Yarnall (Labour). At tho last election, when Mr. Potter faced throe opponents —Liberal, Independent Reform, and Labor—he won easily, and he should be able to repeat the performance.

Considerable interest attaches to the Eden election, where Sir James Parr is again opposed by Mr. Mason (Labour). Three years ago Sir James defeated Mr. Mason by nearly 700 votes, but on that occasion there was a Liberal candidate who polled nearly 1400 votes. Labour, of course, would"dearly love to eject the Minister from liis Garden, but although Mi. Mason will poll well ho seems fated to meet with a second defeat.

In Manukau Mr. Jordan (Labour), who caught Sir Frederick Lang (Roform) napping in 1922 and wrested tha seat from him, is now opposed by Mr. John Massey, brother of the late Prime Minister, who is handicapped by the fact that ho is making his first political effort at an age at which many men are thinking of retiring from public duties. At the last election an irrepressible young men who "also started" as an Independent Reform candidate polled 300 votes. Had lie kept off the track Reform would have retained the seat, but with little to spare. Labour is pretty confident of holding'thc seat, but Mr. Massey's supporters are also very hopeful. The result is doubtful, and the' voting will probably bo very close. A three-cornered contest is proceeding in Waitemata, where the retiring member, Mr. Harris (Reform) is 'opposed' by a Nationalist and a Labourite. The National candidate, Mr. T. Lament, Mayor of Devonport, has a- good following, but the (ask of displacing Mr. Harris may bo expected to prove too much for him The anti-Labour votes, of course, arc split, but Labour seems hardly strong enough in this electorate to slip in botween the two other candidates.

In the Kaipara district the Primp Minister, of course, will score an easy win over his Labour opponent. Tho position in Marsden is doubtful. Tho retiring member, Mr. Murdoch (National), is again opposed by Mr. W. Jones (Reform), whom he defeated by 136 votes in a straight run in 1922. There is now a Labour candidate, who has no chance, but his advent may give tho sent to Mr. Jones. The Bay of Islandsotherwise the Wintcrless North—has proved so attractive to political aspirants that no fewer than five candidates arc wooing the electors' suffrages in Una land of eternal sunshine and "boost." Tho retiring member, Mr. Allan Bell, bears the Government brand, and this probably will carry him thraiish. The representation of Franklin, it may bo predicted, will again be entrusted to Mr. E. D. M'Lennnn, who won the Feat at the recent by-election. In Raglan Iho Hon. R. F. I'nllard should again "get home." A member of the Country Party. Mr. R. D. Duxfickl, lias entered the lists here, but he is more likely to take votes from (he Nationalist candidate: than from Ihe Minister. Mr. J. A. Younj; should have no trouble in retaining Hamilton for Reform, but the issue in Thames is said to be less certain. Mr. Rhodes (Reform) is opposed by Mr. "Willy (Nationalist), who will poll well. There is a Country Party candidate who will take votes from ' both Mr. .Rhodes and Mr. Willy. The Conies label may be sufficient to send Mr. Rhodes back.

The Waiknto scat is? one of those ilia I was lost to Reform at, the last election through the splitting of voles by hvn Government, candidates. The retiring member, Mr. Lye (Nationalist) is opposed by a Reformer .'inn! a Country candidate. The Roform candidate is considered tn have a good prospect of wintiim;. At AVailomo Mr. J. C. Rnlleston (Reform) won liy a majority of only 25 over (lie late Jlr. .Icnin'm's (Liberal) in 1922. Ito is now opposedby ]\rr. W. J. IVoadfool (Nationalist), who probably will Fail to bring about a. change in Iho representation.

In Itotoriia Mr. lloekly (Reform), who won Iho seal in 1922. is ngain nieetinc Mr. Clinkard (Nationalist), whom he defeated at the last poll by '100 votes. The issue is complicated by the entry of a Labour and a Country Parly enndidale. The contest is between' Messrs lloekly and Clinkard, and the former may again pass the post first. In Ohinenmri, (hat old campaigner. Air. Poland, who has held the seat for twenty years as pi Liberal, is nuw standing sis iin Independent, tie is a diflieult mini tv shift, mid the other candidate, Mr, A, M. Samuel (L'idonii), win find,

in all liki'lihood, that be is unequal to the task. In Tauranga, where Sir. MacMillan won the great battle royal against Sir Joseph Ward at the byelection of 1923, the chances seem that tho retiring member will again be returned.