THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15322, 9 December 1911, Page 4

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

ADDITIONAL RESULTS. * BAY OF ISLANDS. REED ... „ ... 2651 Wilkinson 2497 ; MANUKAS. ? LANG 3928 Stawart ._ ... „ 1646 Morton „ „ ... - ... 1414 ! THAMES ■ RHODES ... 2619 0 Tavlor 2503 , FHtcca absent voter? to como. TAURANGA. 1. HERMES 3714 King •• ~ ... _ 1816 OHINEMTJKI. ; POLAND „ 2766 HICKEY _ ... 1659 > M'Rouio ... 1532 Flctchcr 48 j A second ballot neoossary. TAUMARUNUL •WILSON •. ... _. 2709 Joiminga _. 2593 Incomplete, OROUA. GUTHRIE „. .. 2326 Hornblow 2019 I'ALMERSTON. There aro 177 absent voteri' votes io come, aud tiicso may cause a second ballot. .Mr Buick's present majority is 10. Tho rc- ' turning officer has received telegraphic noti- " fication of the recording of 120 of the , absentee votes. Tlio olPeial recount will 'take placo to-day, when tho absentoe votes will also probably bo opened. liAW'ICE'S BAT. ' CAMPBELL 2728 SIMSON 1799. Clapham 523 Frasor SO9 Lauo 399 A second ballot necossary. NISLSON. A second ballot is necessary between Sir ' Atnioro and Mr MolTatt. Tho absent : votors number about 70. Mr Atnioro ii about 261 votes short of an aofnal majority. MOTUEKA. Hon. R. M'KEXZIE 2583 Smith ... 1555 GREY. Sir A. GUINNESS 5581 Webb 2519 DUNEDIN CENTRAL. ' A recount of tho rotes cast in Dunodin "Central gives tho following figures. There iaro 130 nbsent_voters' votes, 126 of which haw been received by the returning e.Ticer. STATHAM 3969 Arnold 2452 Slacphcrson 1420 Informal 81. OTAGO CENTRAL. SCOTT 3239 Mason 1519 Bennett* 78L Barowoo'l still to comc.

MR MASSEY ELATED.

'"THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL." (PbE U.VITXD PiIES3 AMOCUTIOH.I AUCKLAND, December 8. Tbo Leaderof tho Opposition is well satisfied with the resuju of tho first ballot, and is tciilidt-nt tliat tho proapocts of the, party of securing a majority at the second Lailot ore very wight. fiw results of tho elections 60 far as U<cy )ihw gone iue, of course, very satisfactory lo tbo Reform party, ilr Massov said this ottcrnoon: "1 noticed tirnt .Yliuislura and tho journalistic supportorn of tbo Government aro trying to explain away tho fact that the \\urtl Ministry is er.gugwl in a life nnd death struggle, and tint up to tho present tho honours are certainly with tho Opposition. Tho fact is that tho peoplo of Now Zealand a it' heartily tired of tho spurious Liberalism, slii'.m democracy, and improper and extravagant methods of tile present Administration, and in thoir desiro for a sine and honest policy and tvi cncrgotio administration iiro turning to tho n»i! who for years past hiYO (.onscirntiously dono their duly on the Opposition side of the House. Two of our men have gone down in the fight," continued Mr Miaey. " One, Mr Hardy, has lost his s»t an r.ccount of a local squabblo over a V/aior Supply Bill, which was before Partiamont last session, and tlio other, Mr Dive, bccause lie wa-s not ablo to inako co. many promises as his opixjiicnt, tho Minister of Agriculture. The Government has lest Auckku.ii \Vest % Waikato, Taumarunui.' Oanwcu, and \Vajpawa, and lias failed to roeiiro tho now seat of Raglan. It is quite safe to predict that it mil lose many more seats at tho accond ballots on Thursday. 1 am. very strongly of opinion Ihat wo ihall secure a majority of the seals for which tho representation his not yet bien decided, and that them will bo more si,prises next week than there were yesterday. I am not in tho habit of boasting, but, the handwriting is on tlio wall, and I ul u cenrincod that tho Ministry has rcCeiv« xl notioc to quit. In all directions and from ill section* of trie comnmnity I havo heard \ the opinion expressed that tho Govrrnn ient has been in office too long, and that ; v change would tx» in the interests of tho country. I believe that a chango is 5 bow ovangel? Yesterday's polling, Mr J!a toy remarked, shows _ that tho'new evangel is not worth discussing

OP. tNION IN WELLINGTON.

(Fnoi ( OnR Own CosnKsroNDENT.) WELLINGTON. Dcoeinber 8. The ger tral opinion lwro is that after tlio secowl Ifflllots aro over tho Government will- not h *v© a working majority. This, indeed if, t opinion of many Government supporters i cd of experienced civil scrvant6' who axe in the habit of closely watching the political pulse while ojfcsre go tlio ] n ,,„th of s3 .Ting that tho OnDositwn will havo a ma-jc >rity. Both tho New Zealand Times (Gove oiment) and the Post (Indenendent) aro evidently somewhat Htoggejcd TZ result of the pollinc Tho Governmont organ 1 to 60 ' ar honours aro u itli tlio Opposition. It adds: "Wo need b wdly say that wo aro surprised at somo of theso results, particularly at tho dofoat • sf Messrs Jennings and AruoJd, and in ft kwer degreo at tShc substantial voto reco tdod asrainst Mr Poolo at Auckland. It h id boen hoped that Liberal candidates wou H bo eucccrefid in a few constituencies ft rmorly reproMited by Oio Opposition. Mr • MTKab, for mstanoe, was certainly expcctc d to do better than he did at Palmorston. Ur M'Oluggago was looked upon as likely to displace Mr Ilino at Btratford, and W ekaiipu liad been counted as already won from Mr Foaser. Theso and other hooca havo been very redely disturbed, and, tal fing tbo position rovealeti this morning wi fh tho Drdhabilities of Thursday next, tl B (uturo earn, liardly bo Cod with oertainty by citlier side, o aro 30 bolt tits to be decided, and if tho voting at 'Ihcso dscloeaa tho samo tendency as tho \ "otitis of yesterday, wo toy look forward to parties being moro evenly balanooit torn before, and a narrow majority dominating tho nousc." Tho Ministerial jounaal concludes its principal loading artiolo with these very om'mous words: "It iv\ll bo. ohservod tihat Sir Joseph WaT»i h»>d o. Substantial majority in A-warao. but n: will also bo not;ieed that throo of lu'i oollnigues havo 6tai to learn their fate; for two of tihcm tbo outlook is not very encouraging." Tlio Post frankly ooofeases that it is mrrrrised, but paints out that tho Minist<jrioliats lwro I)een Ibsinc (rround slowly and surely over sinoo tho masterful hand of Mr Seddon eoddenly lest its grip of tho party machine. Tho Post, however, "did not anticipate en tho evidences that tho Government was destined to get such a blow {not yet ft ' knock-out T as tho people delivered yesterday." The Dominion, u&ibh csmo a long way nrornr gauging tho situation boforo the battle than either tho Po6t or tho Times, predicts a success for tho Opposition balSole. Tito Government, it says, for tho first time in 20 yoare, cannot rely on a majority in Parliament, and their proepccfo nt the second ballots aro discouraging in the extreme. The penoral opinion horo sooms to bo (hat with Labour eo much against thci fiovemmejit soveral of their' men must go «lown at tbo second bollote, and tKat tho three Ministers loft in an uncertain position must bo defeated. Tho third candidate's votes must generally go against flic Government, whilo many Oppositionists who havo voted for Gorcnunent men on personal or otlier grounds will now wring round in view of the trend of events that has already placed tho Opposition Ln the front position. Scarcely anyone gives oitlier Sir John Findlay or Mr Bnddo a ohanco

at r.oxt Thursday's contest, while all look unon Mr Millars return as at least very doubtful. Tho poor ahtoir mado by Mr M'Nab, with , all Tim protipo and platform ability ogiuwt Mr Baick makes it orient that tho tido his wt in tstj strongly indeed againet the Go mi wuent. Sir J<<hn (a« oiso paper pofa it), vriho fira 600 behind tho Opposition carxfoiote, hna this iroriyiiig Goo to (poo upon, "M. J. Maok (Labour), ISA 7. Tho Wellington oocdidartfifl are already at TtaAt far tho aoooud ballot, and -ma- flfcoar-OftfcaUiun:

men euro of a very largo amount of support in their tocond campaign. -Mr Fisher, for instance, who ooula only afford two cobs against no end of vehicles and motors used by his opponent, will on this occasion bovo a four motor cam placed at his disposal by friends, while Mr Wright, who also won top plaoo in tlio first ballot, will ako pet assistance in this direction that ho d»u not havo before. Tho Masterton sent k absolutely suro to bo wrested from tho Government, ami tho Pahmtuii 6cat also promises to go that way. Uu every haj*i, on tho lips of friend and foo, 0110 hears tho .remark that tho romarkablo chango in fooling evidenced by tho first ballots will bo a most important factor in deciding eooond ballots in favour of tho Opposition.

Ono of tho last returns to como in was that of Wakatipu. It wao very late in arriving, but many waited to foo it, and when Mr W. Frascr'e majority went upthcro was hearty cheering. It was ono cf three Opposition seats that tlio Oppositionists had somo doubt about. Mr Frascr'9 return hos beon received with cocprossions of satisfaction from friend and foe, who regard liim as a man too valuahlo to be left out of the Parliament.

Many pcoplo here regret the defeat of Mr C. A. C. Ilaixly, tlio popular and hardworking Opposition whip. Mr Hardy was always a conscientious worker in tlio interests of his district, and of tlio Dominion as a whole. His Into constituents have changed horses in tho mtfdlo of the stream, and, as usually happens in such eases, tlie.v hive tho melancholy satisfaction of finding themselves on thb wrong sido cf tho stream. Tho Wellinston candidates have just cause to oomplain about tho action of tho authorities, whereby tho 'l'ovyi Hall was lot to a theatrical ajont. and kept locked up on tho evening bsforo the election. Mr Fisher (Opposition candidate), who endoavoured to hire tho hall for tho night before tho k coord ballot, has this morning been informed that the Town Hall is going to bo lot by tender. "I presume," he writes, "this means that the Town Hall will be ajfoin clcscd tho night before tbs olcction, sinco I pin not so wealthy os tlio persons who paid tlio rent on the last occasion. I suppose I must jiiit submit to being outbid." The Finance Committee decided two years ago (when I applied for the hall) that on the night Iwfore tho next general drelion tlio Town' llall sliould hi let by tender. On the Ulh of Inst month I wrote to tho council, and njkcd when tenders wore to be en IN. To my unutterable amazement I was informed that tho hall had been let, thus igroring tho resolution which had barred mo from booking it." He adds that the Town Hall was erected for the use of citizens, and not for misuso by corrupt organisations or as a means of bleeding candidates whoso object it is to sorvo tho community.

Tho voto on National Prohibition came as a great surpriso to many pcopV, and as a shock to u The Trade." It is claimed by the no-license advocates that but for Archbishop Redwotxl's manifesto th?y would have carritxl national no-lieonso.

Mr Beil (Opposition candidate), who pdlled so _ sp'end'dl.v in tho suburbs, is already being assural of large support from tho followers of Mr Luke, the lato M.P., and his return is consequently looked upon as assured. The I'cst. which supported Mr Luke at first, now supports Mf Bell for tho second ballot.

FEELING IN AUCKLAND,

MR MASSEY'S POPULARITY.

(Fitoit OUB OWN- Cokbssposdest.)

AUCKLAND, December 8. There is great jubilation in Auckland nt tho defeat of the Government on tlio first ballot, and no stouo will bo left unturned by tho. Reform [wrty to carry the second ballots. The change in public opinion was vory pronounced amongst tlio various crowds gathered last night. Opposition successes were greeted with rcJirs of chccring, and Government returns wore rcceivod with groans and boohing. Tho l'rimo Ministers portrait, which was thrown on the screens at both newspu|wr olficos, iikjt with hostilo receptions, but Mr Massoy't) portrait was grc<!ted by tlio vast throngs at both offices with a uuglity roar of cheering that lasted lor over two minutes. .Mr Massoy win recognised at ono of tho Herald olHco windows. and had to show himself to receLVo a popular demonstration. Tiic crowd did not want a S(>ec<:h; it was -content to soo him, and give him tho greatest demonstration of his life. It was an iiujiirinig bocno as the tremendous crowd turned it-s faoo from tho screen across tho street to tho Herald window, whilo cheer after cheer rolled up like a salvo of artillorv. If tliat re«'ption » an earnest of publio fooling throughout tin Dominion, then tho Reform leaders return to ;>ower at tho Eccond ballot is assured. The attack niada ujjou Mr Massey by Messrs Isitt and Fowlds wis added reason for the great demontnition, and is undoubtedly added to tho figures against Mr Fowlds in Grey Lynn. When Mr Massoy made his way through the streotn last night alter witnessing tlio screening of the results, he was followed by tin cuthusiastic crowd. On reaching tho Auckland Club, whore Ik> was nutfrn; up, ho proceeded to make his way through a vast throng at the <loorway. Ho stopped to greet Mr Bradney, tho newly-olectod member for Auckland West. Immediately tho crowd started cheering, and before he knew whero lie was tiw i»pulur leader of tho Reform pirty was lilted shoulder-high and carried bodily into the club, tunidst deafening cheers. Tlio excited ar.d friendly crowd next lifted Mr Bradney, and deposited him alongside his chief, to the accompaniment of lurtlvcr cliocrs. v Tho Auckland province has gono solidly for tho Opposition on tho first ballot. Of tl» seats retained by tho Government, tho Opposition contested only two, and tho Govornmtnt lias lost Waikato, Aucklitnd West, and Taumarunui to the Roform party, whilo of tlio second ballots tho Reform party is fairly well certain of Parnell, Wttitcinata, and Raglan, and has a good fighting chance in Kaipara, whilo tlio Government may lose Grey Lynn to the Labour candidate and tho Ohinemuri scat to tlio popular Socialist candidate. The fact that in Hawko'a Bay, Tanvnaii, aad Wellington, as far as the first ballot is concerned, tlio Opposition has swept tho polls should harden tho feeling here, and tho North Island thus pronounces a groat- verdict for tho Reform party. When ho appeared beforo tlio crowd last night Mr Massey reoognised that ho was not expected to speak, but he waved hw arms to tlio crowd and shouted out tlvit ho had heard one groan. It was tlio last despairing groan of a bad Government. Tlio Herald this morning savs: " I>iiing into consideration tho possibilities of tlio second ballots, it is quite ponsiblo that the Government may lose altogether. atid in any caso tlio arbitrary and dictatorial methods which it had habitually pursued during ib» timo of irresistible) strength will be no longer poasiblo. Mr Fowlds mid his friends have not sucoectled in cstabli»hing thomselvefi as tho ' new party' ii|»n t"u ruins of the Opposition. Their hopcs_ were rudely disturbed yesterday. Mr Fowlds and Sir John Findlay go to second ballots, and Mr M'Nab and Mr Spßght are not anvong tlio chosen. So much depends upon tho sccond ballot, that both parties will doubtless concontrate their strength hnmediately upon tlio dobatoablo electorates. It ia fortunato that tho extraordinary bih which would havo mado it a crimo for citizens to oxerciso tl» right of free 6pcooh during tlio time between tho first and jeeoud ballots did not become law."

WEST COAST ELECTIONS.

(FJiOJi Oon Own ConnEsrosDENT.) GREYMOUTII, Dccembor 8. On the wh<jo the election passed quietly oil ou tlio Woat Coait. Tliero was a gonerul exodus to Hokitika, the centre of tho Westlaad dcction, and Mr Michel's stronjjhckl. Proecfdings were, however, on tho iWwlo rather tame, as the early victory of T\>m Seddon upset all calculations, and as tho Micholites numerically preponderated in Westland's capital enthusiasm was displayed by (lo6]wndency. Mr Michel was warmly received on speaking, but Mr Seddon had a very rough passage, and could hirdly bo hoard alovo tlio frarful din. Mr Michvl said tliat. so far as his future politioil carter was concerned, ho left Inmeolf entirely in tho hands of his committee. At Droyraouth interest was locking, m tho TiotoiT of Mr Arthur Guinness liad been widely anticipated. The closMietß of tho contcst in Holler occasioned general surprise, us aiso did tho largo vote cast for national prohibition throughout tho West Coast.

PROHIBITION AND THE SECOND BALLOT. (Peb Unitcd Press Association-.) "WELLINGTON, Dreombor 8. " A tpccial meeting of tho Now Zealand Alliance is held to-nipht to arrango for what wo bcJiove will bo the final campaign." rtatwl the lUt. John Dawcon, secretary of tho New Zealand Alliancc, lo a Not Zealand Times reprcscntatiTo this afternoon. "Wo shall probably isjuo a wnirifesto'in tho morning." "Ton arc siartinij early for tho next elcclion," siij?Re3tcd i lio nowspnpor man. "Oh, wc are ffotn£ to'do oar bent to inffacnoe Cbo soooml ballot fight*," replied tlio allianos secretary. "Our footing is that tho majority m fiwoor of the nlxilitien of tho trnffio demands that lunt scsboh of Pastiamfent shall romovo tho handicap tfart ja now plaoed upon tho pcopto. -W<w»r<fcgckig-to-«ao all otrr-powors to in-

fluonco tho second ballot, and seeing that the vote for national prohibition is »<> larce, that is our reason for immediate action. Whiio wv were disapj/ointed that no moro electorates wont for no-lict«iso, wo fid very hopeful that we need only 0110 more strido at the romo ratio of ]>")- (fruM to omancipato this country from tho liquor traffic."

LABOUR* AND THE SECOND BALLOT.

(I'eb Umteu Phlss Association.) CHRISTCHIjROH, LKcoinbi'r 8. Tlio Labour Representation Committee met to night, aniT tlio iiucstiun of selecting candidates in tho tecond ballots in Avon, Hioottrton, and Christchurdi East wius discussed (U considerable length. Ultimately it was divided that Labour should take no action regarding tlio wcond ballots in any of theso lioctoratw. It was dtxuded to initiate a strenuous throe years' campaign cn Mudf of labour in conjunction with tho Labour party in ntlior [nrts of tho Dominion, with the objocs of capturing tlx? Government of tho OotninitKi throo yours licnee. It is unofficially understood that Labour will support Mr Knsor in Riccorton and Mr M'CXunbi in Avon.

_ WELLINGTON, Dc-oombor 8. All official rcjiort of a special mooting of tho National Administrative Council of the New Zealand Labour party, lujld this ovening,_ to consider tlio attitude to be taken up in connection with the second lwllots, states that tho fallowing resolution was passed unanimous^" That this party •'pes not commit its members to voto for or give their support to any but a piedg-d condluste of the New Zealand Labour party."

THE NEW PARLIAMENT.

WHAT MR FOWLDS SAYS

(FBOM OUR OWN ConnESPOND£ST.)

AUCKLAND, December 8. Tho Hon. G. Fowliis v/;w imerviewcd by a Star lopruenUiivo uiia niornuig u|mii tne Kisultfi ol yejteiday'a |jolliiig. hu said tho liist focJny wiw olio ot reyiut thai hu muny old c-olleJjjtios and friemla had either bot-n defeated or would havo to face a s«x.-ond ballot. llis 6i*ond feeling w.ia iliat the rusulUi generally bore out the opinion lie luid expressed when resigning from the Ministry that the Government iiad not taken sulucicnt ltced of the new forco developing ahead of the Literal party. The result in Grey Lynn was a striking illustration of the fact. Tho selected candidate of the Uppoaiuon was thiol, witliinn 600 votes behind tho candidate with Uio most extravagant programmo. " I tliought 1 was fairly Radical" said Mr Fowlds, " but it seems tliat I am not sufficiency so to retain the undivided supi>ort of the progressive forces of tho Grey Lynn electorate. There is a lefson to l« derivwl from many iof tho results. For example, Waikuto. a j country constituency, has returned a candij date who is a much more Rudicalcciiiliduto than the outgoing member. The position | revealed in Diniedin West is equally in- ! teresling, Mr Dedford being much more of | u Radical than Mr Millar, whicli 765 votes | were cast for an extreme Socialist in the same electorate. On tho other hand there ha.< been a substantial reduction in the Opposition rote ill some of the South Island electorates.. Clutlia, Wakutipu, and Bruce ull indicate snaller Opposition majorities, while in Teniuka, where the Liberal candidate last time won on a 6ecoml ballot, there is this time an absolute majority of 452. The defeat of tho t-enior Op|»sition whip, Mr C. A. 0. Hardy, for Sclwyn is another sien of tho times. In Wellington Central, also, it seems likely that Mr Fisher will be ousted by Mr Fletcher. Tho position generally." added Mr Fowlds, "docs not appear to bo n serioii3 ono for the progressive party. On the second ballot it roems to me that Ihev will seeuro a substantial working majority."

PARNELL.

(Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND. December 8 At a meeting of Mr Mack's committee this evening it wui resolved tlint tho committee should not disband, but .should proceed l<; support .nnd work for Sir John Findlay.

UHIIiSTCIIURCII SEATS (Pta United Pbess Association.) CiIRISTCHUnCII. Ucoomttr 8. 'ilitro is a pos-sitility of a second ballot in Cliristchuich South. Mr EH hw polled on!j 19 votes in o\ccs.i of an abfoluta nuvjonty of vulid votes, and 45 absont voters' l>ermitfl were issued. There were 196 informal votoj.

'Here U also somo likelihood of tlio second baliot ii: (Jhristcliurch Bust boim? bet<vuii Dr, Thncker and Mr Ilunter instead <if between Dr Thicker mid Mr Davey. 01 tho total number of absent voteis' permits is«ued tlio icturniiijj officer has received 73, and it is possible tint theso may contain sufficient votes for Mr Hunter to place bun second on tlio jxill, A scrutiny of the Christclruroh East roll and .the count \rili take place to morrow.

At a meeting of Mr En.-or's friends and supi>oittrs tJiis afternoon several prcn.uiir.nt Labour men wore present, and promised to give him what assistance they could.

DUNKDIN WEST. MR BKDFOiID AT ALBANY STREET. Mr 11. I). Bedford cponcd his second ballot campaign last night with an address to the elector! of Dunedin Woot at the Albany Street School Gymnasium. The building was crowdcd. Mr \\. Dull, who presided, said a report had boon circulated that (Lay that on t!;« previous night Mr Munro ehook hands with Mr Millar, ami said ho would try to influonoo liis supporters to volo for li'im ou tho second ballot. "Now," added the Chairman, " I wish to tell you that Mr Bedford and I liavo just oomo frail Mr Munro's bouse, and Mr Munro gives that statement an emphatic denial."—(Applause.) Mr JJedford, who received a round of fcheors on risiug to said ho had taken tlio first opportunity after tho ejection of again meeting tho olcctore.-(Ap-plauso.) There was oonsiderablo signification m tlio vote that was east in tho Dominion ou Thursday. Tlio position was this: Tho Uppositioii at present had a majority in tho new Parliament.—(Applausa.) Tliero irero today 25 men returned in opjxwitioii to the Government; 20 woro returned to supjwrt tlio Government, awl of tho 20 quit© a largo number during tho campaign wero careful to point out tlio many ways in which tlioy disagreed with tho Govornment. Thorn wire. however, 20 moro or less indifferent and heartless superiors of tho Government and 25 pledged to do all they eould to displace tho present Government.—(" Hear, hear.") That number, ]io wished to say, constituted the full strength of tho opposition to tho prwent Ministry in tho last Parliament, and noiv, with 50" elections etill to bo decided, there ivero 25 in favour of getting tlio Govornment out. That showed that tliero was a spirit of hopefulness throughout tlio Dominion—a spirit of hopefulness that"tho so-called continuous Ministry could l>o shifted. Ono of tho things he had to faco in the campaign was tho constant belief of mon that whilst tlioy disliked tho Government ifc could not ,l>o shifted. It had been in tioivor no long and had run for so many yearn thoy had coino to regard it as a permanent institution, and nothing oould shift the continuous Ministry. He was glad to say tliat that feeling of hopclcssnesi with res|>cct lo tho possibility of shifting the Ministry had passed away entirely, and to-day, all over the Dominion, thoro wa» a spirit of expeotan.-y that there had not been for years and years past—a spirit o! expoetanoy tliat at Inst this Ministry was tottoring, and tliat at last tho Ministry was shading to its very foundations. It was known really that the Govermnent was virtually defeated at tSe present time.—(Applause.) That was ono difficulty that hod beon removal aa far as tlio campaign this timo was concerned. In addition, the air had boen cleared in othor ways. Tho eloction had decided tliat Sir Joseph Ward had no risk of being di» placed from tho Prime Ministership if his party was returned. Ho had secured his election without a Becond ballot, so that ho (Mr Bedford) liad not to fooo tlirs timo tinprobability of tho leadership of the party by his opponent. As Sir Joseph Wand hail said definitely ho would not tnlro tho High Commissionership it wan absolutely impossible that tliero could bo any other (coder of tho present |>arty tlian Sir Joseph. Ho had got rid, thon. of that difficulty too. There was another point. On Thursday tlio electors throughout tho Dominion capre»i?d tlieir disapproval of the discontinuance policy of Uiifl continuous Ministry, in t.ho manifaslo issued by Sir Joaoph Ward prior to tho election ho declared tliat this party started ur.der tho leadership <A Mr John lWlaneo, and tliat during tlio years lliat had followed they had continued that gentleman's policy. They had liad to amplify it, but tho principles on whioh tho party was founded by Mr Ballanoo woro still tho principles ol tho praaot Govej-n----mont. Tlio doctors had now oraphaticallv declared so far that thoy did not bollevo that statement and tho Ktalemrnt contained in tho manifesto. Tlioy Kvl shown distinctly wliat was undoubtedly trim: they had states) thnir Iwlicf that tlio Ministry, though continuous iai ofliro, liad not foliVwed tho polioy upon whioh that Ministry 6tartod ior instance tho poopU had da-

clarcd emphatically that they uid not favour the departure from 1 lio self-reliant policy of Mr lUlliiii'.v. The Government had »o far de|ErtivJ from that policy (Jiat la«t year it Ixirruwivl six ami a-liulf millions, ami proposed next yrnr to Ixtrniw mvivi and n-lmlf millions, Tho people, however. did no', btJiove • in m*'li ;i witto departure from tln> priwipW ujon which t.hii continuous .Ministry w»« founds] Then t.'iov li.nl oxpcwed tlioir disapproval of tho way in which th" Government had departed from tlio i»olioy of thrift in tlio matter of exiiendit-uro which characterised this i>urtv at its irooption. When Mr lUllaiieo took officv> Ik> >aid lie wtsild not only ImrroA less, but in the mutter of spending inciuy lio Slid wo luvJ guile at u jweo t<x) furuus to last, and it must stop. Thii Government was going it a ikigo more furious than that of the Government that preceded tho Ballaneo Government, and bocaiiso it liad departed from this principlo of economy and thrift tho people had declared so far by giving it majority against the continued existence of tho present Miiistarted. For instanoc, tho peoplo had doGovernment still oontiiiucd the policy of the Ballaiice Administration with respect to social matters, micli as tlio land question, but tlio people evidently know that on that uuretion the Government's policy was utterly distinct from tlia-t. of Mr Balkinco. Tho leaselioM pi inciplo. for which Mr Balkmce strajf£lod, liad been departed front by this Ministry, ami• tho peoplo liad said "We will not support a Government that irnkos professions that aro not carried out"—a Govornment that, to use Sir Joseph Ward's words, had tlx* "political hypocrisy" to piofefs ono thing and do anotlier.—(Applause.) On ,lh<«e prinuinkfi, then, tlw Government had departed from the policy of tJicir illustrious predecessor. Mr BalLaixu, whom they spoke of in such terms of admiration in their manifesto.—(Applait*:.) Tlw result of tlio clod ion, as he had said, allowed tJiat tlto Opposition had 2 1 } mc-mbirs. It was reckoned that 1J moro were cert-nin. It would l.v sccji, therefore, that half of tlio now Parliament would bo oppose*! to tlio Government. with tlio result that another appeal to the country would lie nooeftviry. lie wantod to make that uppoal unueccaarjv and to tltat end Ik> c.ikod tlioin for their Mip|»»rt on Thur.'xlay. —(Applause.) Sir Joseph Ward was goyig to low Sir Jolm Kindlay.—(Applause.) 110 had had advice to that effect—that Mr Mack's supporters would not rote for Sir Jolm Finolay 011 the swond ballot.—(Apnlauso.) Sir Joseph Wanl was also goiiij? to 1060 his colleague Mr Buddo, and tho-o wasi nothing mow ccrtain than that tho Minister of Railways was going down.— (Applause.) £0, if they took out of tho Government three of its Minister* and ga.vo a majority of votes against tlio Governmevrit, Sir Joseph Wanl would have no option but to odor his resignation to tho Governor. Ho (Mr Bedford) bslieved Dulled in West was tlio key to tho position at tlio present time. It illicit I* possible if Duiuxtin West returned rf Government Mupporter to prop' tip for a Jittle longer this tottering Government. If the electors (lid that, it would bo a calamity to llio b.-st interest of the country. They must pet rid of this reckless, extravagant, aristocratic, unconstitutional Government hivutal by Sir Jo-vpli Ward.-(Applause.) That wrs'whv lie had started risfht off to fight. 110 ha.l more heart in liim than ho bid before. If ho won, no irntter what happened with the other doubtf'.il seais, th* Ward MwL-t-y was (Vjwii, and lie gloried in Duncdin W«t having bken the cons|u?ucu<s and prominent position of decidmpr tip fate of tlio Ward Ministry.--(Apiilaufe.) Mr Nodford went, on to refer to Mr Millar's chuvjed views on tho l>orrowinK qiwstion. Rcsiwtins lii< position to Mr Mnnro s supporters, lie said he hud never shown any ontapinism to Mr Munro's w.ndidaiuro. He rwtl;?cd that- Mi Mr Munro and liinw'if wy>ro wantiiiß to (jet the Government out. Tho re'ore, r.s far ns the (rreat if-tuo in tho ea.!npnign went, they wore practically on tho same platform, the repu.lt was that lie h'ld throughout tawl he would not fijfllti Mr Mnnro. imd that if Mr Muiiixi (rot into the focoiml Ivillot lie would _ help liim to win in tlie final, and that if Mr Munro did not |jct into tho srcwid ballot his siiTi|>orto's .'Jioukl |?ivo Iheir support to liim (Mr B<-dfordl.-(Apnl.ws-.) lie had the grnutcst confidence that ho would g?t tlie vi,lrs of nine-tenllis of thoro who suprortcJ Mr Mimro.—(Apr,litis 1 .) Mr Bodford spoko about the hoavy cost of the tieoond ballot, rao'i eand : dite Iwin? allowed to simokl £50 of public m< noy: or a total of ivcOCA to tl» ornr try. The Government knew very well when it intro(!ucr<l tho sre:iiid Iwflot t'vit it was costly ar.d utterly incifective. and that thoro was a much better wav to with minority ropro.w 11 tat ion.' It kroiV too iJiit it lud proved a failuro in other countries. But the feoond ballot lnd proved something like a broinerr.np to the Government. At the election in 1938 tho Government lest tho majority of the second ballots, and at this election to;> it wm Roiitß to bp injured, nioro than k>lpe<l, by Mk> ky.'tem.—(Appl.nue.) But tho trouble wjs I kit tlw etectors would havo to pay, for this Govornmont's ineptitude, thoiiKinds of p-ynds ncjt Thursday because it hnd not the courage to adopt a proper system of r;pr«cntation.—(Applause.) An Klcctor: Aro you Opposition or Independent! Mr Bedfonl snid his pesition with refpect to the parties in tho Iloiifo was tliis: Ho was straight out Opposition to tho Ward Ministry.—(Appkiua?.) The ( y could not got a worse Government. If. in tlw couri-o oftime, thoro wa? formed a pirty moro in aa-onianco with his own policy he wruld sup[>ort it. But lie wanted to get tho Ward Ministry out. find to keep it out, awl ho would <lo all iw could for tJiat purpose.— (Applause.) Mr Bedford then referred to tho issues in iho caniiuign. Ho had levelled certain charges against tho Mill'stry, and ho had asked for nil answer, but so far thu aiifiwer liad not tioen forthcoming. Now, at tho commencement of this new campaign, h« reprated tho?o charges, and asked for an answer. Mr Bedford referred to tho charges he had made in rospect to ljorrowiug, extravagance, brokon nrwnisw, ircklcss statement, unconatituiiorol rnetlxxls, taxation of tlio working classes, railwav inanagM'.ent. and other matters. II? had staled before that 110 did not charge brihorv and corruption agairift tiio Governtnont, but ho must nay that, in reptrd to tJ;o pnyment t<> Iho railwav workers this week, it was as near briliery as anything could b?.—(Applauso.l 'l'liero won poms interruption by an individual at tho rear of the hall whik> tho candidate was r;>.Taking on tihctrO subject?, that Mr Bedford mot very good-humcurcdly. " I ask you to go to mv opponent's meetings," he added, " and if tWe matters cannot bo answered tho Government must go down.—(Appkuno.) Wo hold the key to the position. l)uio<lin West osn l>o distinguislied for giving tho final blow lo the Ward Ministry, and theroloro I ask you to rat me at "the top of the poll on Thursday nrat."—(Applauscx) Itcplying to qucetionjs, Mr lkdforti fird ho w;w not in favour of Stato ai<l to denominational schools. If tho Opposition got into power, ar.d propos:d to sell the free-hold of tho Cr.iwjt lands at their original value, ho would voto against it. Any elector cW.d voto at tlio scoar.d Iki Hot although ho did not voto at tho first ballot. A voto of thanlu; and nlxs>luto confidenco in Mr Bedford as tho repre«aitativ;of Dunedin Wwt was cirriwl. with cheers.

DUNEDIN NORTH

The to tl>o invitation to form a oominithx) to work for Mr Ci. M. Thomson's rottirn ut the second ballot was oxtrcneiy gratifying. an exceptionally largo number Ix-ing present at h» meeting, ineluding .1 largv miinlier of ladies. Mr Tbotirjon briefly adJreased Iho committee, his apponranot fcoint? greeted with cheers. Mr Tlwwnson statcil that it 'vr.fi very evident tliat the tick* was rapidly rising in favour of the Reform party. He expressed his ln';irty th&ulc* to cJi thofo wtio hat! worked ro hard ajxl pi awl him at the head of the poll at tho firri. ballot. Mr E. Rosevear wits voted to the position of ehai'.111111. A large number of telegrams have been received by Mr Thomson wishing him fucccfis at the second Ixillot, and ottering assistanco.

DUNE DIN SOUTH. The numfor of informal votes cast in the contest bctivivii Mr T. K Sidc.v ami Mr J, E. MiicManus for tho Dtincdin fautJi &\at on Tliumby was 176. This, wo understand, was LuKeJy due to thu fact that tliero w.i s no Opposition candidate, and tliat many votors deliberately _ rendered their papers invalid rathor than veto for either Mr Sidey or Mr MncMa,ntn. 'Hie recount of the votes polled at the Dunedin Seiutli 1 lections, licensing and pneral. will be comniniced by tho returnii:K olUcor 011 Monday iiiorniiiß.

CHALMERS. I'iie retnreing olfiwr for Chaliixws (Mr Clusliolm) expects to have his ollicial recount completed a latn liour to-niffiit when ho will probably bo able to date which of tho candidates will bo loft iu the (•ccond ballot with. Mr Clnrk, At present Mr Johnson in leadintr Mr Dickon by four vote*, and is santruiun of receiving tlm r.ecessar; number of ulwcnt loters' votes to nifii'ttain his niivantage. Mr Cliisholm informed as yesterday afterncon tlu! liu had received only nine tilwnlot voles, leaving close on 10(1 still to come in, soreral from u far north a» Whungarei. It

is expected that most of tlio votos will bo rcooived in time lo inoludo them in th" oflicial recount to-nisht.

NKW MHMHKIIfI,

' Mil W. J. DICK IH. Mr W. J. Dickie, the r.ow nicmber for Selwyn, is a New Zralamler, having been lxirn on Octobor 10, U69, at ('olxlen, Groynitiitli. \.l;oro his fi-tlier was fur maliv yoais a pKiininent hu.'inesi man. Mr Dickie \m iHh'cateel ut tho fitato school at (.'olxlen, airt afterwards went into tin? drapery tr.iilo i.t (iretyiiiouth. In 1895 lie took up land at Someilon, roar ltnkaia, and in 19W Ijought tho Ardaglt Estate at Lyndlmret, with Mr Arthur Dent. Mr Dickie, iqior. tho diw/lution of the partnership, ritained tho liuinoftead bloek, whero ho now resides. His tint appointment was that uf itisticc of the pcaco in 1904. A year lator h'j was electeu a member of tho 'Mount Ilutt Itoad Board, one of tlx? largest boards in Caiitorbi.rv, and has occupicd the |imtion of clairman for fivo years. During tho same year ho T.'aa dotted to roprosont tho Mount Hull dL«trict oil tho Afhlmrton County Council. 110 was also a nvomlier of tho Ashburton Hospital Board until that body was abolished. He has hold' a eoat upon the Selwyn Licensing Bench for soino years, and, in fact, has taken part in every movement which lias been initiated in tho interests of the people and tho district since ho canso to reside in it.

Mil U. K. WILSON. Mr C. K. Wilson (Taumaruntii) is an Australian by birth, and arrived in Now Zealand at tno ago of 17. He acquired an interest in land in Lovin in 1883, remained in that district until 1909, ami was West Coast manager of the firm of Abraham and Williams for 18 yeaw. During that timo ho represented that district as a county councillor and n member of the Wirokino Hoed Board He took an active part in the formation of the Kurmcrs' Union, and was present at its first conference. Mr Wilson lias always taken a keen interest in farinini'. find now- holds a bloek of land near Te Kuiti.

.MR ('. E. STATJIAM. Mr Charles Krnest Pliithum, who may row he regarded lis tlie member for Dunedin (,'cnlial, is the eldof.t son of Mr Cluirlert Iladtield Statham, of Dunediti, public accountant. Ho was born at Dunedin in 1875, and has lived in the district now known aa Dunedin Central Electorate practically th-. 1 whole of his life. He was educated at privato schools, tho Wiir/am Strwt Fcliotil (now tlio High Street School) Dunedin, tlw Cathedral School, Christchurch. and tho Otago lkivs Ilii?h School, Dunedin, undor Dr Holclkm'. Qn leaWng school he had tho benefit of some yours experience of commercial life, and was trained ir his father's office us an accountant. lie then commcnocd tho study of the law, and was admitted as a solicitor of tho .Supremo Court in 1901, and as a barrister in 1906. Leaving the ferviee of •Messrs Calkin and Galloway, whero ho had been acting as managing dork for over two years, in 19(H, he commenced tile practieo of his profession on his own account, and has now built up a considerable practice. Mr Statham has always taken a keen interest in athletics, was for eome yeara a tnemlxv and some timo treasurer of tho Pirates Football Club. lie ban also been for many years an activo member of the OtiTo Rowing Club, and has held the ollices of committeeman, treasurer, ami captain He hclclu a seat on the Rowing Association as vicc-presidcnt for the Oauxirii liontintr Club. Mr Statham married in 1905. a daughter of Mr William Burnett, the present Mayor of Dunedit!. Mr StntJinm himself how holds a scat on the Dunedin Citv Council as a representative of High Ward.

_ MR W. T. RHODES. Mr W. T. llliode3, who has won the Thames Beat, was born at Auckland. His father was ono of tho pioneers of tho Thamca goldlield. lio is an " Old Thames lloy," his sehtol days having been spent on'tho goldliolds. 110 has reiidcelat Coromandcl tor 25 years, and Ls well known as the proprietor of the CorDinandel Country N'ows and in mining circle.s, 110 has hael coiiKdenihle experience in connection with local government, having served on Übroiitfh Council, Hospital Board, School Comniitteo, Hehcol of Mines Council (prc«ident), Licensing Iljncli, etc. lie was president cf' th" New Zealand Gold Jubileo Exhibition, held at Coromandel in 1901. lie is a mombcr of tho Anglican Svnod. and holds tho rank of W.M, in the M.uonio Order. Mr Rhodes is a freeholder, ami while pledging hiimelf to support tho Government, generally reserves the right to voto for the retention of tlio freehold under any circumstances.