THE GENERAL ELECTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11366, 13 November 1922, Page 7

THE GENERAL ELECTION

O INVERCARGILL’S LOSS SIR JOSEPH WARD’S DECISION REGRETTED. “DEPRESSED AND DISAPPOINTED.” IVi 1 h reference to Sir Joseph Ward’s decision not to contest the Invercargill seat the "Southland Times” comments editorially as follows: "It is not for ns to find reasons for Sir Joseph Ward’s decision to decline the nvercargill Liberals’ offer to contest the Invercargill seat, an offer endorsed bv people of other party beliefs and by members of an organisation which has been among liis bitterest opponents in the past. Probably no politician Has' ever had offered to him the opportunity of winning a seat with a non-party following. Invercargill has lost the chance of being represented by a man of great political stature and jjossibly New Zealand has also been bereft of the advice of a man she needs at this juncture. The Dominion will be a heavy loser if he does not return to the House, and Invercargill will have to he content with a representative of smaller dimensions. The sjtting member may feel that he has some grievance against his eld supporters in this matter, hut he has 'himself to blame entirely. They have not forgotten that in 1919. when Sir Joseph Ward was at the head of the party, Mr Hanan took a long time to make up his mind and declare himself. A delay like that is not what oeoole yet allayed, that he was then keenly ingave rise to the suspicion, which is not yet allowed, that he was then keenly interested in the antics of a .political cat and was at a, loss to decide on which side of the jinnee it would jump. Following on that delay came tie straightout charge by Mr Massey that Mr Hanan hid been, ready to join the Reformers if a portfolio was give n him. In the House Mr Hanan denied that allegation, but the earlier suspicion wa6 not eliminated. This year again, the Liberals in Invercargill were perturbed about hie delay in committing himself and if they were uneasy they were justified. The contest in Invercargill will now be shorn of much of its Interest. Mr H. J. Farrant'e adherence to the Official Labour Party will destroy what would otherwise have been a royal chance of a successful candidature. His adherence to the party led by Mr Holland, following on his flat repudiation of Mr Holland’s utterances on the Near East question, is peculiar, to put it mildly, but it will be enough to lose him a large number of votes in an electorate which is evidently anxious for a change. Mr F. G. Blake has been mentioned as ft posssibility, but he is an unknown quantity in the political field, and it is doubtful if he will be able to command enough support to have a chance. He hag not received the official endorsement of the Reform Party, and it is doubtful if he will 'be able to make, a fight of it in the circumstances. If he does it will mean that the movement away from Mr Hanan by 'his erstwhile supporters i 9 greater than people imagine. It cannot be deined, however, that the withdrawal of Sir Joseph Ward leaves Invercargill .politically depressed, and disappointed.”

LABOUR PARTY MEETINGS. TeWnight Labour candidate will address meetings of eleotors as follows : Mr A. W. Croskery in the St. Hilda's Church Hall, Island Bay: Mr R. McKern at, Wallace street, in the open air; end Mr A. L. Monteith, in the Maranui Methodist Schoolroom, Kilbirnie. These meetings will begin at 8 p.m. To-morrow evening Mr P. Fraser, M.P.. will open his. campaign for Wellington Central in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, commencing at 8. ■ Mr R. McKeen will address an open air meeting to-morrow evening at the corner of Owen and Constable streets, Newtown, at 8.

MR WILFORD'B TOUR \ ADDRESS AT TE AWAMUTU. Per Press Association. TE AWAMUTU, November 11. Mir T. M. Wilford, speaking at Te Awamntu last night, delivered a trenchant oriticisun of the Government legislation and administration. The address covered the main planks of the Liberal platform. Mr F. Lye, the party’s candidate for Waikato, opened his campaign with a brief address preceding that of Mr Wilford. Votes of thanks and confidence were passed by the large audience, without dissent. A telegram from Auokland states that Mr T. M. Wilford, the leader of •the Liberal-Labour Party, had a splendid reception at DevonportJ and other plaoes. Resolutions expressing confidence in him as the leader, andi wishing him and the party succeis at the poll, have been passed. . Ladies interested in the candidature of Mr T. Forsyth are invited to meet him this afternoon at 3 p.m. in the Cambridge terrace Congregational schoolroom. Mr T. Forsyth, official Reform candidate, will speak on Tuesday night next at 8 p.m. In the Methodist Church Hall, Waitoa road, and on Thursday, November 16th, at 8 p.m., in the sohoolroom, Roseneath.