THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1703, 17 December 1919, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

POLLING PROCEEDING TO-DAY.

STEADY VOTING WITHOUT EXCITEMENT,

The last general elections having taken place five years ago, when the war had only been a few months in progress, and great events having taken place since then, it is only natural that the elections that are taking place to-day throughout the Dominion should excite a considerable, amount of interest. For weeks past the candidates have been busily addressing the electors and stressing their merits and those of their parties, while at the same time pointing out the demerits of their opponents, and to-, day the electors are havipg the opportunity of showing by their Votes exactly what their opinions are of the contorting fuc : tions. In Palmerston to-day. the polling is proceeding steadily and witirdut any excitement. The supporters of the two candidates were hard at work from the opening of the polling booths, and there seemed this morning a general determination to see that all voters, were brought to the poll who were likely to support the claims of the candidate who was favoured by the various partisans. The polling this morning, however, was comparatively light, but at midday those engaged in the booths were kept 'more busily engaged, while this afternoon there was a steady stream of voters to each of the booths. Tho arrangements made by the returning officer (Mr C, E. Short!) coined to bo giving general satisfaction, and tho recording of tho votes proceeded withcut any hitch. Almost every .motor car in tho district seemed to have been obtained to convey to tho poll the supporters of the candidates and those favouring one of tho issues in connection with tho licensing poll, and tho colours of tho various interests were prominently shown on tho vehicles used and in the button-holes of tho enthusiasts for tho particular candidate or licensing aspect favoured by tho many workers.

Arrangements have been made for the results as they come to hand tin's evening to be made known to the public at the earliest possible moment. A large hoarding has been erected I*}tween the Times and "Standard” offices, and as the load returns and those from the other parts of the Dominion come in they will be posted upon the hoarding and also shown on a screen by means of a lantern. The voting in the Palmerston electorate will not conclude this evening until seven o’clock, and it will probably bo half an hour after that time before any results come to hand, but in the country districts the poll closes at six o’clock, and by half-past six o’clock some of the returns should ho known.

In practically all the electorates the elcctoral votes will be counted first, and it will be Inter in the evening before any of the licensing returns are available, but these will bo made known to the public at the earliest possible moment. LAST NIGHT'S MEETING. The Opera House was crowded to its utmost capacity last night, when Mr J. A. Nash, the Reform candidate for tho Palmerston seat, delivered his final address in tho campaign. Mr P. A. McHardy presided. Tho candidate was throughout his address subjected to a running fito of interjections, but tho meeting was a good tempered one, and Mr. Nash kept tho audience laughing by his ready replies to the interrupters.. One particularly noisy individual was ejected by the police, but thero\was otherwise no serious ■ disturbance. Mr Nash’s address was comparatively short, but he answered an exceptionally large number of-questions. Mr C. H. Whitehead moved that Mr Nash bo accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address, and this was carried by acclamation and with cheers for the candidate.

Mr M. Ayrton addressed his final mooting in support of his Labour candidature in Tho Empire Hall last night. Later in the Square he addressed an open-air gathering and was cheered at the conclusion. Mr Massey’s final address on the eve of the elections was delivered at Hastings last evening, when ho spoke to 2000 people and received l a good hearing. ■'"A motion of confidence was carried. Sir Joseph Ward addressed an open-air meeting at Wanganui yesterday when en route for Patea and Ilawora, and received a good reception. „ Mr J. A. Nash received tho following telegram from tho Prime Minister last ovoning._“On the eve of the election I send you my heartiest best wishes for your success at the poll to-morrow. May the Reform Party in tho cause for good and stable Government be returned to power with a solid working majority, thus the development and prosperity of the Dominion in tho important period of reconstruction on safe, sound, patriotic and progressive lines—W. F, Massey.”., . , . . , Mr J. A. Nash. M.P., received tho following telegram from Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands, yesterday Please accept my best wishes for your success tomorrow. With you I sincerely trust that, in tho interests of sane and stable Government, the Reform Party will bo returned with a strong working majority. Kia Ora. •

THE MAORI ELECTIONS. SITTING MEMBERS RE-ELECTED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND. Deo. 16. The Northern Maori election resulted: Tuu Honuro (Reform) 2604 Nau Paraone Kawiti ... ... 9fi2 Anarii Ngawaka 135 Aperahama Roupeno Tuoro ... 57 Wiri Henare ... 31 There are five small booths to come, but these cannot affect the result. CHRISTCHURCH, Dm 16. The result of the Southern Maori election was: . __ John Hopore Wharowiti Uru (Independent) 376 Riki tc Mairaka Taiaroa ... 169 Teono Matapura -Erihana ... 97 Hoani Matiu 46 On being asked by a reporter to-night how ho would vote on a no-con fid once motion, Uru said : “I am selling my vote to the highest bidder. lam an Independent, and believe this should bo the attitude of every Maori member. In the past,” said Uru,' “I have supported Mr Massey, and will do so again if he will promise to give the Maoris what they want. If Sir Joseph Ward will give us a promise that Mr Massey is not prepared to give, then my vote will go to the former. That is my attitude.

11l the ' Western Maori electorate there were 150 polling booths. Mr Cave clerk of the Palmerston North Magistrate s Court, filled the position of returning, officer for the electorate. The following are the results: Maui Poinaro (Reform) 2550 Ngarangi Katitiu "“f Tanea Kaawo Short ••• £SO Tuwhakaririka Patcna ... - Ilcnaro Kaihau (ox-mernbof) ... ZW Taiwiwi Tukimana teTamwha 177 Tema Pauwharetapu Kewono ... Keritoke te Ahu ...

Otcno Pnora Erucra Poihipi Chase ... - « Kipa to Whatnnui ... « ■ Ten of the candidates forfeited their i.lO deposit.

Hon. A. T. Ngatu (Liberal) was, re : elected unopposed for the Eastern Maori scat.

AUCKLAND, Dec. 17. There is perfect weather for the elections »nd heavy Dee. 17. The weather is beautifully fine for the ejections. The weather is beautifully fine for polling day Every available motpr is being utilised for the conveyance of voters. A heavy poll is anticipated. The licensed victuallers are working exceedingly hard.