A COMING ELECTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9824, 22 November 1917, Page 5

A COMING ELECTION

WELLINGTON NORTH SEAT THE GOVERNMENT ON ITS TRIAL. Now that tho Hon. A. L. Hordman is determined to stop from his position of Attorney-General to a scat on tho Supreme Court bench, and the Government is disposed to assist him in the gratification of his political ambition, there is naturally a great deal of speculation concerning the election for tho Wellington North scat that will become necessary by this appointment. Probably the election will take place some time in February. It may bo earlier. Already, two candidates are in the field. Mr J, P. Luke, C.M.G., lias announced himself, and it is stated that ho will bo tho Government 'candidate. It is also stated that Colonel John G. Hughes, C.M-G., D. 5.0., will definitely contest the seat. In view of the party truce, and the understanding that there shall bo no party contests while the war is in progress, it goes without saying that the Liberal section of tho House will not put forward a candidate. There is not the slightest doubt, however, that the election campaign will bring strongly under review the policy and administration of the Go vernmont, and more especially so in regard to tho soldiers and their treatment and interests. Colonel Hughes is himself a soldier with a distinguished record, and while his candidature has not boon espoused by tho Returned Soldiers’ Association, there is no doubt that ho will have the support of many soldiers and their parents. Mr Luke, ait the same time, has identified himself closely with patriotic movements and war work of every kind. Whether the Government nomination will bo of assistance to him is another question. There are a great many people, even of a conservative turn of mind, who are not satisfied with the Government administration and who are disinclined to endorse it at the ballot-box. It may happen, therefore, that the issues of tho election will turn on the question whether or not the people fiavo confidence in the National Government and its administration.

THREE-CORNERED CONTEST PROBABLE THE MAYOR TO STAND.Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey), interviewed by a •‘Timee” representative yesterday with regard to the statement that the Mayor of Wellington (Mr J. P. Luke, C. was to be the nominee for the Wellington North seat at the forthcoming by-election, stated: “I have nothing to say about Wellington North. I think it is three months too soon to talk about it. Nobody haa had anything from mo about it.” Mr Luke, however, has been asked to become a candidate for Wellington North, is, as is expected will bo the tnso, the Hon. A. L. Herdman (At-torney-General) resigns his seat in the Souse of Representatives on being elevated to the Supreme Court Bench. Mr Luke has consented to stand, and it is generally anticipated that his candidature will be supported by the National Government. The election is hardly likely to be hold before February next. Cabinet has not yet discussed the question of the allotment of the portfolios now hold by the Hon. A. L. Herdman, in the event of his being appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court. THE POSITION OF COLONEL HUGHES. Colonel J. G. Hughes, C.M.G., D. has not yet delinitely replied to the requisitions asking him to stand for the Wellington North seat, hut it is understood that he is to give his reply before the end of the present week. /Mr George Girling-Butcher, secretary and organiser of tho New Zealand Catholic writes to the editor as follows: —“Referring to a statement appearing in tho ‘Dominion that the candidature of Colonel Hughes for Wellington North seat, on the retirement of htr Herdman, will receive the support of the New Zealand Catholic Federation, I have to state that no request has been made on behalf of Colonel Hughes for the support of our Federation, ajnd certainly no assistance has been promised. Further, I desire to make it clear that tho New Zealand Catholic Federation does not, by its constitution, interfere in politics save where politics touch religion, or where tho civil and liberties of Catholics are affected. ’

LABOUR TAKES PRELIMINARY STEPS. There is very little doubt that Lahour also will contest the seat. The L.R.C. executive met last 'night, and. it was decided to call a special mooting of the Wellington Labour Representation Committee on ’Wednesday evening next to consider the position of Labour in regard to the Wellington Norr.h by-election; and on the following Thursday evening a public will be hold at the Goring street Hall to form a branch of tho New Zealand Labour Party in tho constituency. Tho executive arrived at no decision last night as to who tho Labour candr date is to bo. That Quostam will be settled at ono of the later meetings. Mr H. E. Holland, of conrso, was the Labour candidate for tho seat at the 1914 election.