COMING ELECTIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7848, 10 July 1911, Page 1

COMING ELECTIONS

WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS? SIR JAMES CARROLL’S IMPRESSIONS. SUCCESSFUL TOUR OF THE SOUTH ISLAND. “Politically, I found our party very solid and hopeful everywhere I wont.” This sums up Sir James Carroll’s answer when, upon his return from a tour of the South Island, he was asked by a “New Zealand Times” representative yesterday how tho Liberal party in that portion of New Zealand views tho coming campaign.

“A little bit anxious about tho electoral boundaries,” added Sir James, “but our parly will faco tho election with a good heart, not in tho least perturbed by Mr Massey’s pilgrimages.” Tho Acting-Premier addressed splendid meetings at Riverton, Invercargill, Gore, Dunedin, Oamarn,' Temuka, Cliristchurch, a social function at Tiniaru, and a native gathering at Tomuka. A meeting was almost fixed for Ashburton, but simultaneously the arrangements were fixed for tho Christchurch address, and tho Acting-Pre-mier, in response to a very warm invitation, gave a promise that ho or another representative of the Ministry would speak in that town soon.

DISOItDEII— OR ENTHUSIASM? “Meeting ends in disorder” was the statement published regarding tho Christchurch gathering addressed by Sir James Carroll. Ho strongly objected to such an unfounded allegation, explaining that one of tho socialistic leaders claimed the right to say a few words in moving an amendment, but made his speech rather long. The audience resented this encroachment on their time, and some ladies in tho front seats appealed to the chairman to remove him. “The socialist was speaking quite calmly, there was no disorder, but tho people did not want to hear him,” continued Sir James. “The Mayor suggested that, as a fair-minded man, tho socialist might take tho verdict of the people as to whether ho should go on. He submitted, the audience roared its protest against proceeding, and he accepted their emphatic decision. Tho resolution of confidence in tho Government was carried by an overwhelming majority, the audience honouring mo with three rousing cheers, ■ which they repeated a little later, before I left tho platform on which X had remained talking with a few friends.” POSITION IN THE NORTH LIBERAL OUTLOOK GOOD. SPECIAL TO TUB "TIMES.” AUCKLAND, July 8. With the approach of tho general parliamentary election in November, interest is growing in the question of probable and possible candidates in the Auckland province. The different political organisations are actively preparing for the fray, and numbers of aspirants for parliamentary honours are already in the field. On present indications, however, tho Government, which was never more popular in the North Island than at present, should score all along the line; and if the present Government supporters aro defeated it will in the majority of cases bo by others espousing tho cause of Liberalism. So far, in fact, although intending candidates are plentiful, very few of them fly tho Opposition banner. In tho City Central electorate tho sitting member, Mr A. E. Glover, will meet Mr P. J. Nerheny, so long identified with tho Liberal and Labour Federation as president; Mr AV. J. Napier, who formerly represented a city constituency in the Liberal interest; and Mr M. J. Savage, of the Socialist party (who opens his campaign at tho Federal Hall next Wednesday evening). Tho Mayor (Mr C. J. Parr) has been freely requisitioned to contest the City Wes: seat against Mr C. H. Poole, and has also been asked to come out for tho Parnell scat. Other possible candidates for City West aro Mr AV. J. Ralph (president of tho Citizens’ League) and Mr J. J. O’Brien, a wellknown advocate of Liberalism. The Opposition is almost certain to put a man into tho field, but so far no definite announcement is forthcoming. In Grey Lynn and City East it would so far seem that tho Hon. G. Fowlds and Mr Arthur M. Myers are regarded as holding practically impregnable strongholds, as no attack appears to have so far been mooted.

Mr Frank Lawry is to have opposition in the TC.ru ell electorate. The constituency is tho homo of a great many railway employees, and the secretary of tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants (Mr M. J. Mack) is definitely out as tho accredited Labour candidate. Mr J. S. Dickson is mentioned as a likely candidate, and Mr E. G. B. Moss, who has had previous Parliamentary experience, will in all probability be the Opposition dateThe establishment of a new electorate in Eden County, as the result of the redistribution of segts, is practically certain, and a goodly number of candidates will be offering, including Mr G. J. Garland (chairman of tho Education Board), Mr T. L. Thompson (a member of the Groy Lynn Borough Council), and probably Mr AY. J. Speight, who has already had experience iu the House of Representatives. Tho present member for Manukau (Mr P. AY. Lang) is promised another contest with Air J. B. Morton, and Mr John Bollard will probably again have the opportunity of defending his seat against Air J. AA T . Shackleford. In tho AYaitemata electorate a hig fight is assured. Air L, R. Phillipps, who at present holds the seat as an Opposition supporter, will have to do battle against Air A. Harris, another Oppositionist. Mr E. ,W. Noikon,

junr.j whose farther previously represented the Waite mats seat, may also stand for this constituency as an Independent Liberal. A strong Government candidate is also to bo announced. lln the country electorates preparation is being made for the fray. Mr w. F, Massey will inwall probability be again opposed by Mr J. W. McLaren. Mr C. Manuel is spoken of as .a likely opponent to Mr Herrics at Tauranga. The member for Ohinemuri (Mr H. Poland) may have to clash swords with Mr Parry, president of tho Miners’ Union. At tho Thames Mr E. H. Taylor will probably find three opponents—Messrs A. Burns, Clark, and It. Wade. In the Waikato Mr H. J. Greenslade will meet hia old opponent, Colonel Allen Bell. If a now seat is created in tho King Country Mr James Boddio, Mayor oi To Kuiti, will stand in the Opposition interest, and failing a favourable alteration of tho electoral boundaries in this respect, Mr Boddio will, it is understood, challenge tho popular member for Taumarunui, Mr William Jennings. In the North, Mr Vernon Reed will be opposed by an Opposition candidate, Mr J. Wilkinson, of Drum. No candidate is yet definitely announced against Mr F. Mander, Marsden’s representative, but Messrs 11. Thompson, E. 0. Purdio, and J. Handson are spoken of as likely to he in tho running. Tho Opposition will put up a candidate against Mr James Stallworthy as member for Kaipara, and Mr A. Harding or his brother, Mr E. Harding, is regarded as likely to carry the Reform party’s banner. )'MR 'MASSEY CONFIDENT. PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, July 8. Mr W. F. Massey, loader of the Opposition, arrived from Wellington this morning. In conversation with a reporter, Mr Massey spoke confidently of the jirospects of tho Opposition party at the polls in the North Island. Referring to the meeting addressed by him in Wellington on Thursday night, Mr Massey said it was one of the largest and most successful that ho had ever addressed. STATEMENT DENIED. CHRISTCHURCH, July 8. Tho statement that Messrs J. D. Hall, J, J- Dougall, and J. R. Brunt have bean selected as tho Opposition candidates at tho general election • for Christchurch Oitv seats is officially denied. The selection will probably be made during the nest few days. LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR OTABX PALMERSTON, July 9. At the request of the Mauawatu Fas Workers’ Union, Mr J. Robertson, of Palmerston, secretary of the Taranaki Dairy "Workers’ Union, has deckled to contest the Otaki electorate ia the Labour interest.