THE GENERAL ELECTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9335, 19 October 1893, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTION

(By TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. UNDER WHICH KING?

A matter has cropped up which if it be nob settled before polling day, is likely to give a bitter intensity to many of the political contests upon which the people of this colony have entered. Ib is somewhao singular thab the remier himself should have given the suggestion of a mystery to what had been from the moment of Air. Balance's death understood, viz., that the late Premier had with his last breath begged hie nearest and dearest friend, Sir Roberb Stout, to give the aid of his talent, reputation, and high character to the " Liberal Carby." This position has been accepted y the public, never denied either by Sir Robert Stout or the Hon. Mr. Seddon, and interpreted for various purposes with entire acquiescence by all men of all opinions. lb is even stated that at the supreme moment both men being present beside the deathbed this appeal was made by Mr. Ballance to Sir R. Stout, and when Sir Robert Stoub stood for Inangahua ho was understood to be redeeming the promise he had made to his dying friend. This was proclaimed abroad by almost every newspaper in the colony. In his Feilding speech Mr. Seddon denies all this, and declares that he is in possession of papers to show that the succession of the Premiership was given to him by the late Mr. Ballance. Nothing could be more satisfactory so far as Mr. Seddon is concerned, if the papers can be produced, but the papers, if they exist, must have been written some time before the death of the late Premier. The Post this evening devotes a whole

column of leader to the subject. . The writer refuses to give credit to the statement of Mr. Seddon of the purport placed upon the papers said to have been loft by Mr. Ballance in favour of Mr. Seddon succeeding to the Premiership until they shall have been produced and examined. Something more than Mr. Seddon's assertion, it is said, is required before the position he claims will be recognised as his. And people will desire to scrutinise the documents or papers which he says sustain his claim. He will also be required to show how they came into bis possession, and why he has so long concealed 'their existence. He refrained

from advancing the claim based on them, and represented himself in a false character. If (the Post goes on) Mr. Ballance formally handed over to him the succession to the Premiership and the leadership of the Liberal party, why did Mr. Seddon allow it to go forth in the organs controlled by Ministers, as well as in Opposition journals and non-party publications, that Mr Ballance, in almost his last moments, had designated Sir Robt. Stout, his own former chief and devoted friend, as the man to succeed him and the leader best qualified to carry the Liberal policy to fruition and fulfilment? Why did Mr. Seddon, knowing the wishes of the dead Premier and being the custodian of the documents expressing them, assume the acting leadership with any professions of humbleness of full submission to the party, and avowedly only as a temporary measure until the party could be consulted. Why did he, if he had a captain's commission in his pocket, represent himself simply as a mate, whose duty it was to steer the ship into port, the commander having died on the voyage ? Why did he nob say a word at the caucuses at the beginning of the session to lead the party to believe that it was Mr. Ballanco's wish that he should succeed to the leadership? Why was the truth concealed, and an elaborate courseof deception, representation, and mystery entered upon and encouraged, if all parties could have been satisfied by making known the real nature of Mr. Ballance's wishes, and producing the papers and document which Mr. Seddon now declares prove them and his claims ? WAIPA. Our Hamilton correspondent says : — "Mr. Peacocke is busy canvassing the Waipa district, and the reply of Mr. Bryce to the requisitions sent to him is being anxiously looked for. There is talk of a settler at the Wairoa end of the district being brought out, bub this would not be thought of if Mr. Bryce would at once come forward, for it is just the lower end of the district that is most in favour of him. If that end of the district brings out a man, then in all probability the Upper Waipa will do the same and both upon the same ticket, which would give the Government candidate, Mr. Peacocke, a better chance. There is some talk of Mr. Archihald Murray, an old candidate for Waipa and who ran Mr. Lake closely last election, contesting the seat."

EAST COAST. [BY tklegrapk.— OWN correspondent.] Wellington, Wednesday. A good deal of interest is attached to the election for the East Coast native district. The Maoris are asking that the Maori election should take place before the European election for Otaki. The Premier is considering the matter. The subject has some significance, I'rom the fact that if the Maoris can be induced to vote in block for Mr. Carroll, he will have a. decided advantage over Mr. DeLautour. There are no less than ten Maori candidates, viz., Henare Tomoana, Wi Pere, Hori Tarawhai, Renata Ropiha, Parata, Paora Ropiha, Marara, To Apatu, Paratene Ngata, Tunuiorangi. MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS. Wellington, Wednesday. The Premier has been invited to address the electors of various towns on the Wairarapa, New Plymouth, Marton, and other places. Although the name of Mr. Fitzgerald, brother of the Comptroller-General, has been mentioned as as opponent of the Hon. Mr. Seddon in Westland", no action on the part of that gentleman appears as yet to have justified the rumour which has been "for some days current. The supporters of Mr. Seddon expect a walk-over for their candidate. It is stated that pressure of business will prevent him complying with a large number of the invitations sent to him to speak. His engagement with his Auckland and Dunedin friends stands good. It is expected that in his Dunedin address he will disclose the policy of the Government. The Minister for Labour is expected here on Friday next.

CANDIDATES AND CONSTITUENCY. 'Wellington, Wednesday. Mr. Blake does not intend „to seek reelection for Riccarton. Mr. Richmond Hursthouse is spoken of as likely to contest Waimea Sounds with Mr. C. H. Mills. Mr. H. D. Bell is still undecided whether he will come forward for Wellington. Mr. Fitzgerald, mentioned as a possible opponent of Mr. Seddon, was formerly Warden and Resident Magistrate on the West Coast, and was formerly a member of the House of Representatives. He is spoken of as a man of great ability, and is now editor of the Timaru Herald. THE WOMEN'S VOTE. Wellington, Wednesday. According to the accounts that reach here from the outside districts, the Prohibition League will not have a monopoly of the women's votes. In the various districts where ladies' committees have been formed there is considerable diversity of opinion. The pressure pub upon female voters by all sides to the approaching struggle is very great, and the day of election is still somewhat distant. The female voters claim the advantage which time yet affords them, to postpone their decision, or make a secret of their intention. Promises appear to have become extremely " piecrustean" until the last moments shall necessitate resolution. There is considerable elation manifested here through the successful " capture" of the woman's vote in places where ib was little expected. Local opinion affirms that this circumstance renders extremely uncertain the result of Sir R. Stout's candidature for Wellington. LADIES' POLLING BOOTHS. » Wellington, Wednesday. There is an objectiou to distinct and separate polling booths for men and women. At Westporb, however, this matter has been brought prominently forward by Mr. McKenzie, who is one of the candidates. It is said the matter will be arranged by a " tacit understanding" among the people, or "between the people," The decision, if there be a decision, is rather vague. WELLINGTON. [by telegraph.—press association.] Wellington, Wednesday. The Liberal Association has decided to support Sir Robert Stout, Mr. F. H. Fraser,

and Mr. T. K. Macdonald for Wellington. Only 33 members out of a 240 membership were present. -, One thousand new claims have been put) on the Wellington supplementary roll up to the present. CHRISTCHUROH. Christchoroh, Wednesday. Mr. W. H. Montgomery, candidate for Ellesmere, gave his first address at Little River last night. He announced himself a, supporter of the (lovernmenb polioy, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. DUNE DIN. Dunedin, Wednesday. Ab the City Court to-day, Richard Horreband was charged with distributing printed papers without an imprint. They had reference to Sir Robert Stout's connection with the women's franchise. Messrs. Wales and Alexander Burb are named as candidates for the city. Mr. Sligo declined nomination. INVERCARGILL. Invercargill, Wednesday. Mr. J. W. Kelly addressed a largo meeting of electors in the Theatre, to-night, about 400 of those present being women. Mr. Kelly spoke ab great) length on the licensing legislation, urging prohibitionists to accept such a measure of reform as that contained in the Act of last session. He was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. The Hon. J. G. Ward, who was present, spoke for 45 minutes, principally to refute statements made thab the Government was increasing the standing debt of the colony.

Mr. E. Mitchelson reached Auckland yesterday from the South, and will, no doubt, soon be in the thick of election business.

The enrolment of votes is still going on briskly for the city of Auckland.

The Election Temperance Union having taken taken steps to map out) the city, are making a house-to-house canvass to ascertain that all qualified to vote, of both sexes, are on the roll, and as far as possible to obtain a knowledge of those favourable to Temperance. This is being done to check the rolls, as they have been informed that roll-stuffing is being practiced, or attempted to be practiced.. They have solicited the aid of the members of the Women's

Christian Temperance Union in the matter of canvassing the respective districts mapped out in the city ; and that body, at it 3 meeting yesterday, consented bo do so. In response to an invitation from a number of the Eden electors, Mr. E. 0. Perry will address a public meeting in St. George's Hull on Monday evening next, when he will give his views on the present political situation.

Mr. Kelly, M.H.R., is at present in town, and is hopeful of being returned for his old electorate.

In reference to a paragraph in yesterday's paper, Mr. W. Shepherd Allen writes : —"In your paper my name is mentioned in connection with the Parnell and Manukau constituencies. With respect to Parnell your statomenb is correct. I feel it would

bo a most ungracious thing for me to oppose Sir George Grey, on account of his ago and his great services to the colony. With respoct to the Manukau your account is misleading, as it seems to imply that I approve of all Mr. Buckland's votes in the House. So far from this being the case, I most strongly disapprove of his votes and action with respect bo the Liquor Bill introduced by Sir R. Stout and the present Government. There are abo other points with respect to which Ida not approve of his actions."

lb is understood that the Hon. the Colonial Secretary has made the following appointments in connection with the forthcoming general elections Mr. B. Gilmer, Returning Officer for Eden electorate ; Mr. George Hobertshaw, for Parnell ; and Mr. Bush, for Manukau. In the latter case, Mr. Bush, who is about being removed to another judicial district, may find it most inconvenient to attend to the duties, and very likely, under the circumstances, the Minister in charge of electoral and registration matters may make other arrangements for the Manukau polling. Mr. Jackson Palmer addresses the electors at Puhoi on Monday evening, October 23 ; at Mahurangi Heads school, on October 24; Kaipara Flats school, on October 25; Warkworth Hall, on October 20 ; xMatakana Hall, on October 27 ; and at Omaha Hall, on October 28.

Major Harris is going to address the electors of Franklyn, at Pukekohe, on Wednesday evening, October 23 ; at Otahnhu, on October 20; at the Patumahoe Hall, on October 27 ; and at the Puni school, on October 28.

Mr. R. Monk addressed the electors of

Waitemata in the school-room, Hobsonvillo, on Friday, 13th instant. Mr. A. C. F. Bernecker was voted to the chair. Mr. R. Monk was well received, and answered several questions at the close of his address. A vote of confidence in Mr. Monk was carried unanimously, amidst loud applause. Mr. Monk also addressed the electors of Waitemata in the Wade school, on Monday, the 16th instant. Mr. James Inglis presided. At the close of Mr. Monk's address, on the motion of Mr. Elias, seconded by Mr. Creer, an unanimous vote of confidence in Mr. Monk was passed with much enthusiasm. Several ladies were present at tho meeting. It is very evident that great interest will be taken in the coming election. Mr. A. Marchanb, Mr. 15. S. Robbing, and Mr. Mehaffey, of Stratford, are spoken of as candidates for EgmonS. Colonel Trimble will be requisitioned to come forward for tho New Plymouth seat.