THE ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13918, 27 November 1908, Page 6

THE ELECTIONS.

THE DEFEATED MINISTER.

A RE-ELECTION RUMOUR,

[by TELEGRAPH —own correspondent. ]

Wellington, Thursday. The admirable spirit in which Mr. McNab accepted his defeat at the polls last week has caused some surprise, and certainly won him a good deal of genuine admiration. His attitude, in fact, almost seemed to indicate indifference to the lose of office and compulsory retirement to private, life. "To those who know the ex-Minister's bent of mind and his political ambitions, this attitude was puzzling," says the Dominion. "We are inclined to the opinion that they will receive enlightenment within the next few days. Mr. Hanan, member for Invert argil!, arrived in Wellington yesterday, and was closeted for some time with Mr. McNab. We understand that lie also saw Sir Joseph Ward. Mr. Hanan is a loyal party man, and is considered to hold a very safe Government seat. What if Mr. Ilanan should sacriticc himself, temporarily, of course, on the altn-r of party* What if lie should resign his seat ana permit the ex-Miniate for Lands to seek election in his stead? The Government has favours to bestow, and who more deserving than a member who sacrifices himself in the cause of the party? Should this little plan eventuate, and Ave believe it will, and should, Mr. McNab prove successful at his second attempt, which is not at all certain, it would relieve the Prime Minister from the necessity of tilling two gaps iu the Cabinet. He would require to fill only one. "But," the paper continues, "what 'will the farming community think of the arrangement? Mr. McNab held the portfolio of Lands and Agriculture, and was rejected by a country constituency mainly on the land policy of the Government, it he contests the inverwirgill seat, as suggested, lie will seek the suffrage* c; a town constituency. This possibly is a wise step from his point of view, but will it improve the already strained relations of. the Government with the country people? The Opposition would do well to give a little Attention to the situation. Sir William Russell or some other strong advocate of reform in Ministerial methods might, if their private affairs will permit, ■; be induced to enter the field, and contest the scat, with the Minister, should Mr. Hanan resign."

DENIAL BY MR. HANAN.

[BT TKLECRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Thursday.

Mr. J. A. Hanan, 31.P. for Invert-ar-gil], in an interview to-day with the Herald representative, gave* a definite denial to the rumour that lie was about to resign his seat in order to give Mr. McNab a chance of re-election. "I have not. hern asked to retire by anybody," said Mi". Hanan, "nor do I intend to do so. My constituency has returned me four times in succession, a record for Invercargill, and I have now been 15 years in public life. The people there have always loyally supported me, and they look to see me still further advance my position in the House. I was not asked nor did I come to Wellington to discuss any question of retirement. I can only suppose that the rumour sprang from a misunderstanding of a remark which I made when addressing my committee after the declaration of the poll. I expressed my deep regret for Mr. McNab's defeat,, and said the electors had shown a want of appreciation of ability, industry, political knowledge, and vainable services to the community. I added that such treatment did hot encourage one to continue in public life. I suppose some people saw more in, those remarks than I had ever thought of. At anyrnte, I can account for the rumour in no other way.'', - '■