THE COMING ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7974, 14 June 1887, Page 5

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL OORRKSPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. Me. Dargaville was a passenger to tho South this afternoon by the Wairarapa. The fact that this very active member of the Legislature should have gone South instead of North ocoasione a good deal of comment, but all sorts and conditions of men will be connectod with electioneering ventures for the next two months. It is alleged that Mr. Dftrgaville goes on an organising tour through the southern districts, and to elicit the favour of the industrial classes for the ministerial party at the coming elections. The protection meeting held here on Saturday evening, taken with tho Premier's manifesto, is looked upon as ft challenge to the Opposition. The leaders of tWo Opposition, I am informed, have taken up the ohallenge with eagerness, and the telegraph wires north and south this morning hare been fully occupied with massages passing to and fro. Tho Ministerialists have good men and trne to put in nomination in every district now held by the Opposition. Ou the other hand the Opposition have resolved to support their own nominees to the utmost. Tho c&se of Mr. Dargaville illustrates the position. He announced his candidature for Mareden upon some statement that Mr. Mitchelson was about to resign. It is pretty well known that Mr. Mituhelson desires to go to England, and this circumstance was accepted as an implicit encouragement to tho present member for Auckland West to succeed the member for Maraden ; but it is understood here that messages havo been received to the effect that Mr. Mitcheleon has reconsidered his position, and will not abandon Mareden. If he should retire the Opposition have a candidate to go to the bantings in hie stead. The rumour that Sir Julias Vogel would stand for South Welliugton against Mr. George Fisher appears to bo premature, because I have heard Mr. Fisher declare today that nothing would pleaso him more than to try his strength with the Treasurer, but at present the Treasurer makes do sign. The Hon. Mr. Ballance goes to Wanganui on Thursday next, ostensibly in attendance upon the Governor to visit the West Coast Jubilee Exhibition. Nevertheless he gets credit for having a view to tho contest for the representation of that place. Meanwhile tho boundary commissioners are busy upon the delimitation of electorates, and the redistribution of seats. It is said that the results of their labour will be a general surprise. The growth of population in directions unexpected, and the decrease of numbers in places once thought to be permanently settled, will produce effects upon the representation which could not have been anticipated. It is hinted that'tho movement of population has cone outside of some of the most important country districts. Ministers will have to do battle for their seats. The Premier's manifesto is regarded by everybody here as the game of tho Government party. The Post this evening says:— "Ministers will all be strongly opposod, and should have little time to devote to other peoples' constituents, but if they take to the stump they will not be allowed to monopolise the position. Several leading members of the Opposition and free trade party are prepared to follow them round the country. They will not commence operations of the kind ; but they are determined that if Ministers travel about to inculcate their views, the country should not be left without learning the other aide as well; and. every Ministerial missionary will be closely followed up by an Oppositionist. Major Atkinson's close affinity to the opinions of Ministers on certain important questions of policy would, perhaps, prevent his taking part in the attempt to remove from the public mind any impression the Ministerial speakers might make on these points, but Messrs. Bruce, Scobie Mackenzie, Rolleston, and others, who are thoroughly sound upon the question, are understood to be willing to devote themselves to the work if the necessity arises." [press association-.] New Plymouth, Monday. It is reported that four candidates will come out for New Plymouth, viz., Messrs. S. E. Hughes (solicitor), E. M. Smith (working man's candidate), and W. Bayley, and it is thought Mr. Samuel will also st^ud, CiiRisTCHURcn, Monday. Mr. William Dunlop is out for Avon. A deputation of South Christchurch electors waited to-day on Mr. John Holmes urging him strongly to consent to be nominated. He deferred giving an answer. Captain Macmillan and Captain Hugh Stewart of Katikati have both been asked to stand for Tauranga at the next election. Mr. Grace meana to stand for re-election. Mr. K. King, Dr. Reid, Major Swinuley,and Mr. Stewart Bates are also spoken of, Mr. G. W. Russell has published an address to the electors of Waikato. Mr. Mitchelson states thst he has not yet made tip his mind as to his course, whether he will retire from politics in the meantime, or, if he is a candidate, what electorate he will stand for. It is proposed to bring out Mr. Aitken Connell as a candidate for Eden. Sir William Fox is, we believe, willing to come out for a city or suburban constituency, but no definite understanding has yet been come to. The Timaru Herald says:— "There is a rumour that Sir William Fox will be asked to contest the Wai.nate seat at the general election."