POLITICAL NOTES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 151, 27 June 1908, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

[from our correspondent.]

WELLINGTON, Friday. As you will have seen by the telegrams, Mr Aitken has decided to give the political game best,,'and has signified his intention of retiring at the close of the coming session. His opponent at the last election, Mr W. McLean (who, as you will remember, once defeated Mr Hi D. Bell at a memorable by-eleeti6n), was only defeated by a very narrow majority, and no doubt, also, Mr Aitken has taken to heart his recent defeat for the Mayoralty by Mr Hislop. It is now rumoured that Mr Hislop will contest the seat, but in answer to pressing inquiries the Mayor refuses at present to be drawn. It had always been supposed that he would challenge that tough and determined critic of his, Mr Fisher, for Wellington Central, but Mr Aitken 3 s decision to. retire has changed the complexion of; affairs. Mr O'Regan is announced asthe Government candidate for Central, but even if there is a straight-out fight I hardly think he would win. And for this seat there is to be an Independent Labour candidate, who will take more votes from Mr O'Regan than he will from Mr Fisher. V

The Independent Labourites claim that they have a "chance" of winning both Wellington Central and Wellington East, but the wish is doubtless father to the thought.^ Ido not think they have the slightest chance of success in either electorate, - but their candidates will make the task of the Government candidates all the harder, for they will split the old Liberal-Labour vote

Mr Izard addressed his constituents last night. It was a horrible night im which to turn ,out, and the attendance was small. But the Menlber was in good fighting spirit, and declared that there was no truth in the story that he intended to retire. On the contrary, the popular "Charlie" adopted a "let 'em all come" attitude, and it is evident that if he is to go down it will be with all colours flying.

Mr F. Bolton is actively canvassing for support in Wellington North (Mr Izard's electorate), and as he claims to be a Government supporter, the Liberal vote must be seriously split, for he has a large personal following, and will poll well. So far, _Mr Herdnian, the Opposition candidate, has made no sign, but he will;be a hard nut to crack when once he* starts his

campaign. The Native Minister is back in Wellington; again, very much- better in health for his long rest up at Gisborne. Mr Carroll has been suffering from a' throat affection^ an ©la trouble, aggravated in this instance by influenza. He is now looking fairly fit, and is ready for the.hard work of the session. There is to be no very important native land legislation this session, although, as a result of the Stout-Ngata Commission, a short amending Bill will be1 necessary. The Commission, says Mr Carroll, has got through an enormous amount of work, and great benefit to both races must ensue. There can be no doubt- that' within tne next two or three years several immense • areas of native lands, hitherto locked up,, will be opened up for settlement. Further than this, the effect of the Commission has been in many districts to stir up the natives t<K greater exertions in the way of cultivating their lands. Altogether, the position as regards native affairs i,4 much oejbter. tban ( it has been for many years past. The Prime ITiear, had a most enthusiastic reception in the -Wairarapa, once an .Gppositjoh jstrpngholcf, arid 'his meeting "at- Grey town was crowded, albeit the weather was so inclement. Mr Buchanan, that dauntless old political "warrior, is leaving'no stone unturned to upset the Government cart in that region, but Mr Hornsby, the sitting Member, is confident that he will repeat his victory of three years ago. At Masterton that sturdy veteran, Mi* Hogg, "will have two or three opponents, but the uncompromising old Radical should win by a decent majority. Some.time ago there were rumours from Auckland to the effect that Mr Kidd had not a very safe! seat, and that considerable dissatisfaction with the seniior, Government Whip was being expressed by some of his old sup-EM-ters. The fact that a poll of the iberal and Labour Federation has resulted, in Mr Kidd's sgaining 432 votes as against the 39 given, to a gentleman who had been put forward as his rival speaks for itself. City constituencies, however—especially Auckland—are proverbially given to changing their opinions, and the democracy unmakes sometimes as suddenly and capriciously as it makes. Mr Fowlds Was said to be rather, ricketty in his Grey Lynn chair, but I now hear that his return is a moral. The "trade" vote is very strong in Auckland, especially in Parnell, but in Grey Lynn the fact that the Minister for Education is a strong prohibitionist is not considered as being a drawback. Mr L. D. Philips has been chosen as the Opposition candidate agaiast Mr W. J. Napier, who will make a determined attempt to win Mr Alison's seat for the Government. Mr Philips is a strong man in Auckland commercial circles, but Mr Napier is an old and experienced campaigner. There should be a tough fight in Waitemata. So far nothing has transpired as to Mr Bollard's chances of reelection. v ,