PARTY PROSPECTS

Evening Star, Issue 22194, 23 November 1935, Page 13

PARTY PROSPECTS

THE AUCKLAND ELECTORATES KEEN FIGHTS IN EDEN AND ROSKILI EXPECTED HON. C. E. MACMILLAN'S SEAT DOUBTFUL [Special to the ‘ Star.’] AUCKLAND, November. 22. The Auckland Central seat is certain to provide the sitting Labour member, Air W. E- Parry, with an easy victory. The Democratic and three other candidates are unlikely to reduce his substantial majority of 3,793 at last election. Auckland West is another electorate where there is sure to be a large majority. The Labour leader, Alr’Al. J. Savage, has indifferent opposition in the Democratic and Government! candidates, and it is believed that he will increase his 1931 majority of over 4,500. Considerably more interest will be taken in the contest for Auckland Fast, where Air F. W. Schramm four years ago bad a 1,600 majority, with four opponents in the field. On this occasion, be has fairly strong ■ opposition in the Government candidate, Air H. P. Burton, while the Democratic banner will be carried by Mr J. B. Donald, who was Postmaster-Genferal in the Ward Cabinet. As there is also an Independent, Air T. Lament, splitting the anti-Labour vote, Air Schramm looks like retaining his sent. Air W. P, Endean, the sitting Government member, seems likely to hold Parnell, despite tho facts that Sir Alexander Herdinan has been campaigning vigorously, and that Air A. G. Osborne has a strong organisation. The fourth candidate is not expected to have any material effect upon tho election. Sir Alexander’s support is an unknown quantity, and wagers have been given and taken that he will poll even fewer votes than the Labourite. It is not anticipated that Air J. A. Lee will have any difficulty in securing re-election for Grey Lynn. One of the keenest contests in the Dominion is likely- to eventuate in Eden. Air A. J. Stalhvortby, the

sitting Democrat, has had several noisy meetings, whereas the Government candidate, Mr C. E. Clarke, appears to have secured a good measure of support. Mr W. T. Anderton has conducted an energetic campaign, and, may be that, with the anti-Labour vote split, he will win the seat for Labour. The fourth aspirant, Mr G. W. Pickering, who talks mainly of the Douglas Credit system, will not be a serious opponent. Another close fight is on the cards in Roskill, which Mr A. S. Richards secured for Labour at last election by 171 votes in a three-cornered contest. This time he has strong opposition in Mr T. J. Fleming, who has made an impressive showing and is regarded by Government supporters as likely to wrest the seat from Labour. Mr G. Claris, a late comer, is carrying the fight for the Democrats, but no large measure of support for him . seems to be forthcoming. Mr V. H. Potter, member for the old Roskill electorate (before revision of boundaries in 1927) is expected to poll 1,000 votes, which would be about 650 more than he secured when standing in 1931 as an Independent . for Eden. Mr W. S. Jamieson,.' a Liberal is unimpressive, and, with the vote so effectively split, ■Mr Fleming may be unable to top the poll, though he is bound to seriously press the sitting member. . Mr H. G. R. Mason should easily retain Suburbs in a three-cornered contest : while Mr W. J. Jordan, who always lias had a huge majority, also lias two opponents in Manukan. There is just a chance Mr A. Harris, Government meihber for Waitemata, may be unsealed, as lie has a strong Democratic opponent in Mr W. A. Donald (brother of Mr J- B. Donald), who has made many friends during the campaign. Mr W. J. Lyon is also regarded very favourably, being an English University man who is making a pointed appeal to that section of electors who do not ordinarily vote for his party. Mr H. M. Rushworth is expected to hold Bay of Islands safely, and there is no doubt of Mr H. J. Murdoch’s reel cetion for Marsden. The Right Hon. J. G. Coates has met with organised opposition in Kaipara, hut his return is believed to be assured.

Mr J. N. Afassoy is expected to be successful for Franklin on a much reduced majority in a thrcc-cornered election 'with Democratic and Independent opponents. His brother, Mr W. W. Massey, tho Government sitting member, is regarded as holding a safe seat, but much depends on how much support the Democrat candidate (Mr Rickard) can command, as Mr C. R. Petrie last election polled as many as 2,700 votes for Labour in a farming community. Mr J. Thorn (Labour) may wrest the Thames seat from the sitting Independent, Mr A. S. Samuel. A strong Democrat, Mr P. Keegan, is splitting the moderate vote, and in 1931 Mr Samuel bad no more than 46-1 votes to’ spare in a straight-out light with Labour. ' _ Many think that Air Lee Martin (Labour) will recapture Raglan from its Government holder, Mr D, S. Reid, who beat the former last time by 806. There are also Independent and Democrat candidates splitting the vote on this occasion. Sir Alexander Young, opposed by a strong Labourite in Mr Burrell, and a Democrat, who is Air Caro, bound to bp well supported, may have a close call at .Hamilton. i)i' G. J. Adams, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union when the Britishers were here in 1930. may take Waikato from Mr Lye (Government).

Many predict the defeat of the Hon. C. E. MacmillanV for Taurauga, as he had only a majority of 658 last election in a three-cornered contest. This time he will be opposed by an accredited Labour candidate in Mr Burnett, aild a strong Country Party representative in Mr A. E. Robinson, while there are still two more candidates likely to take away many votes from the Minister. Mr TV. J. Broadfoot, ' returned unopposed., for Waitomo in 1931, will figure iii a three-cornered election. The ariti-Governmen't vote will be split, ami as Mr Broadfoot is popular throughout the electorate his return seems assured. It is difficult to predict what will happen, in Rotorua, where Mr F. W. Doidge is making most of the running against Mr C; H. Clinkard, while Mr Moilcur (Labour) and Mr H. H. Corbin (Democrat) have 7 a fair measure of support. In a four-cornered election in 1931 the Government candidate secured a mere 57 more votes than M_r Moucur, which makes Labour, supporters hopeful that Mr Honour will be too strong for Mr Doidge.