CANTERBURY SEATS

Evening Star, Issue 22193, 22 November 1935, Page 10

CANTERBURY SEATS

LABOUR UNLIKELY TO LOSE HOLDINGS [Special to the ‘ Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, November 21. The Labour Party is not likely to lose any of the seats it now holds in Canterbury. There may be some small doubt about how the Timaru contest will go, for Mr W. Thomas, the Government candidate, is making a good impression and will carry many votes in both town and country: but the general opinion of political observers is that the sitting member, the Rev. Clyde Carr (Labour) will be returned.

A feature of the present contests in Canterbury is that there is not the same heat as in previous elections. Government candidates in Labour strongholds—Woolstoii, for instance —; are being given quite a friendly reception, with, often enough, a vote of thanks. The general quietness of the election adds to the’ difficulty of judging the trends of public opinion and support. It seems certain, however, that Labour will hold all its present city seats. In the Avon electorate Mr D. G. Sullivan is opposed by Mr H. C. Walker, who unsuccessfully contested the Christchurch North seat four years ago, when he polled 3,275 votes, against Mrs E. R. M'Combs’s 3,450, and Mr H. Holland’s 5,527. It is not the first time Mr Sullivan and Mr Walker, who is an able speaker and a man of ideas, have fought out an election—they met iu a contest for the Christchurch mayoralty a few years ago, Mr Walker being beaten by a record majority. It seems certain that Mr Walker will suffer another fairly heavy defeat next Wednesday. In Christchurch East Mr H. T. Armstrong (Labour) is opposed by Mr o. W. Richardson (Government) and Mr B. Ahlfeld (Independent). _Mr Ahlfeld’s candidature is not being taken very seriously, and Mr Richardson s challenge is not likely to' bo strong enough to unseat Mr Armstrong, who has a very firm hold of the electorate. In Christchurch South, Mr E. J. Howard seems to be safe. He is opposed by Mr T. Millikon (Government) and Mr F. C. Evans (Democrat). In 1931 Mr Howard won in a straight-out contest with Mr C. S. M'Cully (Coalition), and his position this year is plainly strengthened by the division of the vote against him, ' ‘ Tho Government candidate for Ohrxstcjmrok HfiJlth*. Mar S, jLoßanfi!* seenaa

certain to win the seat that was held for so many, years by his father. A good speaker, a man with an expert knowledge of the transport industry, arid of transport legislation, and a former president of the Canterbury Employers’ Association, Mi’ Holland represents an admirable choice for that particular electorate. His opponents are Mr D. F. Dennehy, who styles himself a Liberal-Democrat, and Mr Hi M. Macfarlane (Labour). Mr Macfarlane is likely to poll more votes than Mr Dennehy. .J ' There is much speculation about theprobable result of ; the Riccarton election. The sitting member, Mr H. S, S. Kyle (Government) has three opponents—Mr G. T. Thurston (Labour), Mr J. E. Oolechin (Independent), and Mr F. G. Dunn (Democrat). In 1931 Mr Thurston polled 2,741 votes and Mr A. A. M'Lachlan’ (an Independent United candidate) 3,760, against Mr Kyle’s 4,356. With the splitting of the vote this time, Mr Thurston may have a slim chance; but Riccarton has always been regarded as a safe Government seat, and Mr Kyle_ will probably be elected again'. ■ Kaiapoi, like Riccarton, is a seat that is partly rural and partly suburban, and it is difficult to say what will happen there. The sitting member, Mr R. W. Hawke (Government) has against'him Mr A. A. M'Lachlan (National Liberal) and Mr C. Morgan Williams (Labour). The splitting of the anti-Labour vote gives Mr Williams a chance; but Mr Hawke will probably be returned. In 1931 Mr Hawke polled 5,312 votes against a strong Labour candidate in Mr J. K. Archer, who polled 3,898. That was a straight-out contest. Mr T. H. M’Combs is expected to hold Lyttelton for Labour. The Government ‘ candidate,. Mr S. F. Marshall, is an able, speaker; but. he entered the contest late and! his chances are reduced by the candidature of Mr B. H. Riseley (Liberal-Democrat), who will probably be in third position when the numbers go up. The Prime Minister (the Ri. Hon. G. W. Forbes) will be returned for Hurunui. He is opposed by Mr D. C. Davie (Labour) and Mr . Oliver Duff (Independent). Mr Davie has long been an ardent newspaper correspondent in support of Douglas Social Credit, and this will not. win him many votes among the farmers of North Canterbury. Mr Duff, a former editor of the Christchurch ‘ Press,’ pow conducts a newspaper at Rangiora, the ‘ North Canterbury Gazette.’ He has not enunciated a very elaborate policy; but he has made one point very clear—that he is against the Government and against what the Government has done. Such an attitude is not likely to win him,many farmers’ votes. The Democrat candidate for the MidCanterbury seat, Mr W. H. Woods, will command a good deal of support, and the contest between him and the Government candidate (Mr James Carr) should he a dose one. Mr Carr is a well-known farmer of Methven. There is a Labour candidate (Mr H. E. Herring) in the field; but whether h© will take more votes from the Government candidate than from the Democrat is doubtful. With solid country support Mr Carr should succeed. . . In Temuka there is a three-cornered contest between Mr T. D. Burnett (Government), Mr T. H. Langford (Labour), and Mr J. Cartwright < Democrat). The sitting member, Mr Burnett, should retain his seat. In 1931, in a straight-out contest, he polled 4,737, against Mr Langford’s 3,500. On that occasion Mr Langford stood as an Independent Liberal.