WELLINGTON MAYORALTY

Evening Star, Issue 15479, 29 April 1914, Page 4

WELLINGTON MAYORALTY

ME J.UKE'6 RE-ELECTION ASSURED.

. [Special to the Stab.] WELLINGTON. April 29. The mayoral contest should prove Aft easy victory for Mr J, P. whose conduct, of municipal affairs, and , especially the firm hand which he placed oft the course of events during strike time, have gained him a Large number of friends, ■who probably did not vote for him at the Last election. The only danger which he has to fear is the over-confident© of his friends. It is a common expression to hear : “Oh, Luke’s all right;_ he’ll just walk in,” and indications point to the fact that a number who are in support of him may not-go to the poll. Tin's is always more or less the case with the Conservative (Thorndon) end of the city, who year after year display little interest in municipal elections. All the intermediate classes, however, will go strongly for Mr Luke. His opponents, Mr D. M'Laren and Mr Glover (Reel Federation), will each get some share of the Labor vote. Generally speaking, the interesting feature of the election will not be how many Mr Luke polls, but how many his opponents poll, especially how many “ Red ” votes are cast for Mr Glover. The Red vote in Wellington last election was calculated at 4,000 or 5,000, supplied mostly (almost entirely) by lumpens, tram men, "and rough laborers. The campaign has not been noisy or bitterly personal, but some of the quietness may have been by design. Large numbers of those who intend to vote for Mr M'Laren have not shouted their resolution. Perhaps they have helped to promote an over-confidence on the other side. All cure will be taken by Mr M'Laren’s helpers to poll every possible vote. They are leaving nothing to chance. They have worked quietly, but vigorously.