THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Mataura Ensign, 28 October 1908, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

the mataura seat, mr andersonlTcandidattjre. Yesterday afternoon a deputation consisting of between 30 and 40 gentlemen representative of Gore, Mataura, and Wyndham, waited on Mr G. J. Anderson with the object of inducing him to contest the Mataura seat with the Hon. R. McNab.

Mr Thos. Mac Gibbon (Mataura) introduced the business, and Messrs "A. Boaiige (Wyudham) and A. A. MacUibbon (Gore) also spoke. Those present promised Mr Anderson that they would use thoir utmost!" endeavors to secure his return, and had" every confidence that the seat could be won.

Mr Anderson, in replv said that personally ho would have preferred to have been oxcused, but the requests had been so numerous and insistent that be felt he would be churlish to continue to decline their overtures. He would therefore enter the lists, and though the time was short he would do his utmost in the short period remaining at his disposal. He deeply appreciated the honor they had done him, and would endeavor to justify their confidence.

Subsequently those present formed themselves into a committee, an cxecutivo was appointed and various arrangements made, the proceedings throughout being marked with great enthusiasm. THE MATAURA SEAT. From the 23rd hist, to date 153 claims were received by the Registrar of Electors for Mataura, of which 146 were approved—the remaining 8 being defective. This brings the Supplementary to 573. For the same period 46 names were struck off by reason of transfer, &c. Up-to-date 12 persons have availed themselves of tho provisions of the Legislature Act regarding absent voters' permits. Probably it is not generally known that any elector who will be absent on election day from tho district in which he is enrolled, may apply to the Registrar of Electors for that district for an absent voters' permit, which entitles him to exercise his vote at any polling booth outside his own district in respect of the issues at stake in the district in which he is enrolled. The application may be made at any time up to and including the issue of the writ for the election, and must be on the proscribed form, obtainable at the office of the local Registrar of Electitors.

A meeting of ladies favorable to the candidature of Mr Anderson is called for Friday afternoon, at Mr Latham's office, for the purpose ol forming a committee. The Hon. R. McNab Kfarts Lis campaign to-night, wh*n he addr. ices meetings at Rimu ana Brunswick To-morrow he speaks at Moiton Mains at 2.15 p.m., Dacre at 4 i'.ui., Longbush at 7 p.m. und JVoudlnnds at 8.30. THE WAKATIPU SEAT. The result of this election is practically a foregone conclusion (says the Cromwell 'Argus'), as the present Opposition member, Mr W-. Fraser, is certain of a very large majority; in fact, we believe it will be far and away larger than in any previous contest. The reason for this is to a great extent due to the fact that a large number of Uovernment supporters intend voting lor the Opposition candidate, as a protest against the action of the Government in stopping the construction of the Otago Central railway at Clyde, and as this end of the electorate has been a strong supporter of the present party, this will be the means of making Mr Eraser's majority greater than in past elections. Quite a number of the Liberal party state they will not vote for Mr Fraser, but will register their vote and make it informal by scoring out both names. There is just a possibility that when the candidates open their campaign in this part of the electorate party feeling may get worked up, and the different sides vote on the usual lines, but we do not think this will be the case, as there is little or no interest being taken in the result, and there is a general feeling throughout the whole district thaf the Opposition candidate will go in by a large majority at this end. As Mr Fraser has always had a strong following at the other end, which is rumored as being stronger than ever this election, the prospects for Mr Martin do not look at all hopeful.

Mr Wm. Fraser, M.P., spoke at Balfour last evening, had an excellent hearing, and received the customary vote of thanks and confidence. Mi Fraser speaks at Lumsden and this concludes his list of meeting!' in the southern portion of his electorate on the present occasion. He linf promised to visit other places after the election.

At a meeting of delegates fron, branches of the Farmers' Union, held in Edendale this morning, it was decided to submit in writing the questions drawn up by the Union Conference at Wellington to the candidates for Mataura seat. MK MASSEY AT WOODVILLE. FEB UNITED I'KESS ASSOCIATION. WOODVILLE, Oct. 28. Mr W. H. Massey addressed a large audience last night. He spoke for nbout two hours on leading politico) subjects, and at the conclusion an snerod a number of questions. Mr Massey was very well pleased with his reception. He leaves Wellington tonight for the South Island.