THE POLITICAL BATTLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3396, 11 December 1911, Page 5

THE POLITICAL BATTLE.

“ WOLVES IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING.” PREMIER’S OPINION OF OPPOSITION. SUPPORTERS OF SPURIOUS POLICY.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.!] TIMARU, Dec. 9. Sir Joseph Ward, who was in the best of health and spirits, when asked to-day if he eared to say anything regarding the statement by the Leader of the Opposition in the Press tills morning, readily responded. He said there was no reason whatever for the Liberal Party to be other than hopeful as to the * results of the second ballots throughout the country, lie had examined the records of voting, and found in the electorates where second ballots were to take place that the Opposition scored 46,182 votes less than the candidates opposed to them, and it remained to he seen whether that large number of electors at the second ballot were going to help the Opposition party to come into power. It was, in his opinion, unlikely, as such a combination represented by votes at tho second ballot, would be unnatural. He believed tho people now they realised the possibility of being put under Con-

servative role would bo roused hi the danger that faced them. “Though Air Massey may find pleasure in calling the Liberal party names in tlie statement to the Press this morning, the fact remains that our party' lias placed some of the finest legislation in tho world 1 on the Statute Book, of immense benefit to the people and enormous advantage to workers, farmers, traders, women and young children. Besides, there is the magnificent work, as it undoubtedly is, of placing 150,000 persons on the land, and incalculable benefits of financial aid granted to farmers and workers and local bodies, and though we may he ceiled extravagant, there are to-day many thousands of happy homes that did not exist prior to our policy being adopted and vigorously prosecuted. The record was one any l party had every reason to be proud of. A sham record* and spuriousness was not on the side of the Government but was to be found on the side of the Opposition that had strenuously opposed some of the most valuable legislation on the Statute Book, and who were to-day as ever “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” and were already “crying before they were out of the wood.” He was quite ready', as he always had been, to trust the people, and would cheerfully abide, by their decision next Thursday.

FDR THE SECOND BALLOT. EXCITING TIME IN PARNELL ELECTORATE. HELP KROM SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES. (Spkciax. to Times.) AUCKLAND. Dec. 9. At a meeting of the Auokland Labor Party this .afternoon, eighty representatives being present, it was unanimously resolved to support Mr J. S. Dickson against Sir John Findlay in the second ballot on Thursday next. Feeling rune fery high, and will be worked up to a pitch of great excitement by Thursday night. Tin? successful candidates from the other electorates are rallying under the banners of the rival candidates for Parnell, and the prohibition parties, both being free, will likewise take a hand in the game, though exactly how their sympathies lie at the present moment is « little difficult to define.

THE PALMERSTON SEAT. NO SECOND BALLOT. PALMERSTON, Doc. 10. The recount of the Palmerston scat was finished at 5.30 p.m. to-day, and leaves matter's as they were. There will be no second ballot. Mr Bnick (O) therefore wins the seat. Mr McNab (G) being defeated. DIFFERENCE OF FIGURES. THE CHALMERS SEAT. DUNEDIN. Dec, 10. The official count of the votes recorded in the Chalmers election gives the following figures: E. H. Clark (I) 2842, J. T. Johnson (1.L.) 1474. J. Dickson (0) 1375, A. McCarthy (Lab.) 576. Thirteen absentee voters’ votes are still to come. On election night 80 votes at one booth were wrongly credited to Mr McCarthy, which should have been counted for Mr Johnson. A second ballot, therefore, between Messrs Clark and Johnson will be necessary.

THE BULLER SEAT, ALLEGED I R.R EG UL A 1 {IT IE 8. WESTPORT, Dec. 10. At a largely attended meeting of Mr F. F. Munro’s political _ supporters on Saturday night irregularities alleged to have occurred in connection with the Buller Parliamentary election, in which Mr Colvin ([Government candidate) was returned with a. majority of 146 votes over Mr Munro (Independent Labor) wore discussed, and' it was decided that the executive committee should make further investigations, and if such bear

out the allegations, take proceedings to upset the elections. THE PREMIER.

RETURNS TO WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON, Dec. 10. Tho Prime Minister returned to Wellington from the South to-day.

NEWSPAPER COMMENT.

WHAT THE "DOMINION” THINKS

GO V ERNMENT SIR ON GLY

INDICTED

To-day ,says the "Dominion,” the Ward 'Administration stands condemned in the eyes of the people. The public, disgusted with the practices and .methods of Ministers; sick to death of their shifty ways; their selfishness ; their lack of principle; their Ha grant, and open political dishonesty, have shown that they can unmake, as well as make, Governments. For tho first time in twenty years the chance exists of getting a real insight mto the truo position of the country s affairs. While we, congratulate the country on the verdict passed at yesterday 5 * polls, we would urge that the work' must be completed with thoroughness at the second ballots next Thursday States the “N.Z. Times” Wo need hardly say that we are surprised^ at some of these results. . . Mr McNao, for instance, was certainly expected to do hotter than ho did at Palmerston, Mr McCluggage was looked upon as likely to displace Mr Hme at Stratford, and Wakatipu liad been counted nw already won from Mr Fraser. . . There are thirty second ballot® to bo decided, and if the voting at these discloses the same tendency as tho voting of yesterday we may look forward to parties being' more evenly balanced than before, and a narrow majority dominating the House. . » * It will be observed that Sir Joseph Ward had a substantial majority in Awarua. but it will also be noticed tliat three of his colleagues have still to learn their fate. For two of them the outlook is not very encouraging.