THE CITY ELECTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4819, 24 November 1902, Page 4

THE CITY ELECTION.

On the eve of polling day, the position of affairs in the city can be gauged with an approach to correctness, and it is advisable that it should bo placed before electors, so that rotes may not be thrown away on candidates who have no hope of being “placed.” Of tho 'nine candidates in the field for Wellington’s three seats, six are “in the running,” and these may be divided into two lists —ono embracing three Liberal candidates, Dr Findlay, Messrs O’Rogan and Godbor, and the Opposition list comprising Messrs Aitken, Duthie and Atkinson. Tho other three, for reasons perfectly well understood, may bo classed, in sporting phrase, as “rank outsiders.” Tho electors will, therefore, act wisely if they resolve to concentrate their votes upon the candidates on tho two lists. While the other largo cities can generally bo relied upon to return tliree Government - .representatives, it is a curious fact that Wellington has never been able to secure the election of more than two; more often it has returned two Oppositionists and one Liberal. In tho present contest there is a possibility that, by united action, two Liberals may bo elected. As their first choice, the Liberal electors may bo expected to give a unanimous vote to Dr Findlay, whoso candidature has given a national interest to tho election, and has proved him to bo a politician of the very first rank and far abovo the average of Parliamentary aspirants. No other Wellington candidate is so well fitted to represent every section of tho Liberal party'. While Dr Findlay is a man of advanced ideas, his high abilities, sterling diameter and standing in the community must ■ commend him to that largo section of tho Liberal electors who are engaged in business pursuits, while his sympathetic attitude towards tho workers and his decided expressions of opinion regarding labour legislation entitle him to the support c-f the industrial classes. Dr Findlay’s election is a certainty, if tho Liberals loyally support him. Ho nla.y have for colleagues Messrs Aitken and Duthie, both Oppositionists, who are widely known and esteemed, and will assuredly poll very heavily. There is, however, a possibility of ono of them being rejected in favour of a second Liberal candidate, Mr P. J. O’Regan, •whose addresses have greatly impressed the electors, and whoso ability, earnestness and probity are undoubted. Mr Godber’s candidature has not, unfortunately, aroused the same interest and enthusiasm, and his success at the poll is more than doubtful. In view of past experience, there is ovorV likelihood of Wellington returning two members of one “colour” and ono of another. Thooretically/it should be as easy to return three as two in a three-cornered constituency, but reviewing tho present position, there is no apparent prospect of either party securing the three seats. Mr Atkinson, though the bearer of an honoured name, has alienated support by Ids devotion to certain “fads” and by an asperity of manner in dealing with public questions which has militated against his ability to render real service to the city. The practical result of running three Opposition candidates will, therefore, be that Mr Atkinson’s place in the House will bo taken by Mr Aitkon. Tho last-nam-ed gentleman and Mr Duthie are tho two candidates who may secure election in tho Opposition interest. Similarly, there is no possible hope of the Liberal vote being given solidly for tho three candidates we have named; but if the adherents of Dr Findlay and Mr O’Eegan wore to combine their forces, there is a fair prospect of both these gentlemen securing seats. If our forecast is correct, there is every likelihood .of the city having three excellent representatives in the next Parliament; for Mr O’Regan, though extreme iti some of his opinions, is a politician of ample brain-power and independence of character, and when subjected to the mellowing influences of experience and “yeans that bring the philosophic mind” has tho ability to render most acceptable service to tho people. With Dr Findlay, Mr O’Regan and either Sir Duthie or Mr Aitken, Wellington W'ould bo most creditably represented; and in. tho alternative Dr Findlay, Messrs Aitken and Duthie might ho relied upon to do full justice to the important interests of the city, which have of late years suffered through want of influence and unity of purpose on the part of its representatives in Parliament.