OTAGO SEATS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 123, 20 November 1935, Page 12

OTAGO SEATS

ELECTION FIGHT

PROSPECTS DISCUSSED

LABOUR OPTIMISM

(By Telegraph.) (Special to the "Evening Post.")

DUNEDIN, This Day. With the election a week off there is much speculation as to results in tho Otago electorates.

Labour is very confident of winning four seats in Dunedin, but the party is not so solid and strong as it was two months ago, when, if the election had taken place, it would have had a much better chance of making a clean sweep. At the same time it has good prospects of winning three of the four city seats, the doubtful one being Dunedin West, where a straight-out issue is being fought between the' Hon. W. Downie Stewart, Independent Nationalist, and Dr. D. G. McMillan, Labour. This contest is creating great interest and is sure to be a close one, with Mr. Stewart's chances of being returned improving daily.

Dunedin South is an out and out Labour seat, and Mr. F. Jones would appear to have it again in safe keeping against his young opponent, Mr. T. K. S. Sidey (Nationalist).

Dunedin North and Dunedin Central are triangular contests, with Labour in the strongest position. For North Mr. J. W. Munro (Labour) is opposed by Mrs. R. S. Black (Democrat) and Mr. A. S. Falconer (Nationalist). The lady candidate is more likely to take votes from Mr. Falconer than' from Mr. Munro, allowing the latter to retain his seat, although Labour has been twice beaten for the same seat in past years.

-At the last election Sir Charles Statham just managed to retain Dunedin Central against Mr. P. Neilson (Labour), who is again standing, this time against Mr. D. C. Cameron (Nationalist) and Mr. Sydney Wren (Independent). The last-named need not be considered, so that the issue is really between Messrs. Neilson and Cameron. Mr. Neilson polled so well on the last occasion against Sir Charles Statham, a much stronger opponent, that he will be hard to beat. Messrs. Jones, Munro, McMillan, and Neilson were all returned in the interests of Labour at the municipal election earlier in the year and next Wednesday Labour looks like winning three city seats against two last time.

The Clutha election is one that is creating most interest in the country. The Rev. E. T. Cox (Labour), Mayor of Dunedin, has as his opponent Mr. J. A. Roy (Nationalist). This electorate carries a big silent Prohibition vote, which will probably go to Mr. Cox, who also has a strong following among women voters. He has spent considerable time in the district and is making the best of every opportunity. The workers and small farmers are also giving him support. His chances of success look brighter than those of his opponent, whose support will come mainly from the farming community.

Chalmers is another triangular contest, as is Central Otago.

Mr. A. E. Ansell (Nationalist) will have strong opposition from Mr. A. Campbell (Labour) for Chalmers, but should be returned by a small majority.

Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Nationalist) is being opposed by Mr. H. K. Edie (Labour) and Mr. W. A. McNaught (Democrat), but he has always been popular with Central Otago electors, who are not likely to overlook the good work he has done for the district as a whole.

The three Democrats for the above seven seats can be written down as "also started."