THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13387, 13 September 1905, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

(Per United Pbess Association.)! nOKITnCA, September 12.

Tn a, report communicated to tho. press, is is stated that a. meeting of tho AVestlartd blanch of the New Zealand Alliance was hold, when loprcsontativcs of all parts' of the electorate wero present. After a pre (it deal of discussion, it was decided not io nominate anyone in opposition to the Premier in connection with tho forthcoming election, on tho grounds that tho contest tho Alliance was engaged in was not. political, and that any nomination by tho branch would bo misinterpreted by a section. of the elector'. . '. .WELLINGTON, September 12. Mr Partita says tho belief among' the Maoris, referred to in a southern telegram, that ho is to be called to the Legislative Council is quite incorrect. ITo will b'o a candidate fo.' the Southern Maori district, as usual. . OHRISTCHUROH. September 12, It is understood that Mr William Urn, of Kaiapoi, will .to a candidato for tho Southern Maori constituency in tho Opposition interests. Mr H. Shaw, tho Liberal candidato for the Ellesmere seat, addressed a meeting of electors at Leeston last night. He stated that ho would not object to Crown tenants Retting tho freehold at present-day values. He favoured an elcetivo Upper House. He considered v another/£BO,OOO annually could b) profitably spent on education. Ho thought tho day would como when there, would bo some system of compulsory insurance or old-ago pension system on the linos laid down by Sir Harry Atkinson. Ho affirmed that borrowing could not ccaso so long-as roads and bridges were required and ,tho three main railways had to bo completed.

(Fiats Oim Omr Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, September 12. In reference to tho Press Association telegram from Hokitika stating that tho Westland branch of tho New Zealand Alliance (loos not intend to put up a candidate against tho Promier, Mr Isitt informs mo that tho Westland body has by this action repudiated tlio policy of the parent tody, which is (as long as tho present law continues) to 'lvavo a contest with a view to half tho electors voting so that a valid local option poll may lie .secured. Having only swn tho telep-am in this evening's paper, Mr Isitt has not had an opportunity of consulting any member of his executive, but ho has telegraphed to the president of the Westland branch that, owing to their having repudiated tho policy of the Alliance, the only thing for -them to do now is'to secure a pledge from half tho voters in tho electorate that they will go to tlio poll. This, of courso. is an impractical_ suggestion, and Mr Isitt no doubt recognises it ns such. Ho says tho Westland branch lwa evidently looked at the matter from tho standpoint of local politics. The central body, however, dissociates itself from all personal questions. As indicating how completely this was done at the last election, Mr Isitt informed me that the president of tho Auckland Council, though a strong personal friend of Mr Fowlds, held his (Mr Isitt's) nomination to bo used at tho last moment in caso of necessity to secure a contest. In order to sccuro a poll, they would oven nominate candidates against such of their friends as Messrs Taylor and Bedford.

Mr J. Mahonoy, of Timaru, has been asked to contest tho Oamaru seat in tha Labour interest.

Mr A. R, Atkinson is mentioned as a. probable candidate for Nelson' electorate. The sitting member (Mr Graham) and Mr Harry Atmore will also contest tho seat.