THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2689, 27 September 1905, Page 49

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

A strong effort is being made by representative electors in various parts of the Chalmers constituency to induce Mr W. Pryor, of the North-East Valley, to offer himself as a, candidate for the seat at the general election.

From latest reliable reports (says the Milton Mirror) it seems now quit© certain that a candidate in the Government interests will not be brought forward for Bruce, and the only opposition that the sitting member (Mr Allen) will be called on to meet will come from the No-license party, who may put up someone to secure a stronger local option poll. The Southern Standard states that at a moeting of Riversdale and Wendon Liberals on Saturday night it was decided, after a lengthy discussion, to call a meeting of delegates with a view of securing, if possible, the retirement of either Mr Gilfedder or Mr Murdoch from the contest for the Wakatipu seat, in order to assist tho prospects of the other. An expression of opinion is to be sought from tse Queenstown end of the electorate before anything definite in tho way suggested is finally decided on.

The Ashburton Guardian states that strong pressure i« being brought to bear by tho Liberal pnrty to induce one of tho Liberal candidates to withdraw from the contest for the Arfiburton seat, so as not to split the Liberal vote. So far, however, jt is understood that both Mr Scaly and Mr Jl'Lachlan intend going to the poll.

Mr Thomas Hannan, who is contesting the Thames scat a" an Independent Progiessive, is making a lour of the electorate. The principal planks in his platform aie : — Abolition of the Upper Howe and appointment of a revisory committee; freehold tenure; more assistanco to mining and minors ; a tn\. on bachelors ; and a bonus to heads of the largest families.

I (Fkoji Ottk Own Correspondents ) WELLINGTON. September 21. As indicated the other day, tho Govern - 'ment lias thrown o-\er Mr Izard as their candidate for the Wellington North seat,

and Mr J. C. M'Korrow has now been selected by the Liberal and Labour Federation, as forecasted last week. Mr 0 Jttogan's candidature for Wellington Oontral is now announced. As Mr Jolm

Duthie is desirous of lctiriug fvora Parliamentary life, it is quits on the cards that Mr H. D. BeLI, formerly member for Wellington, will be the Opposition candidate for Wellington North. Whether or not MiBell will consent to nomination will be known in a few days.

GORE, September 21

The campaign for the Mataura constituency commences next Tuesday, when Mr T. Mac Gibbon. Opposition candidate, addresses the Fortrose electors.

There is trouble in the camp of tho Wakatipu Liberals. Two Richmonds are in the field (Messrs A. Murdoch and M. Gilfedder) in the Government interest, and efforts are being- made -fo induce one to retire, which task it is thought will not be easy.

During the last few days efforts have been made to induce Mr J. B. Nichol. of Waimate, solicitor, to contest the Waitaki electorate in the Opposition interests (says the Timaru Herald.) His friends have obtained promises of strong- support, especially from the country districts, and it is understood that if sufficient inducement is forthcoming there is every likelihood of Mr Nichol contesting the seat.

The Rev. Mr Elliott, on being interrogated, informed a reporter that the head of the New Zealand Alliance had disagreed with the decision of the Westland branch not to run a candidate for the seat, to ensure a valid poll on the Local Option proposals. The branch delegates will be reassembled to reconsider their former decision.

A deputation waited on Mr W. Belcher to ask him to contest Dunedin South at the general election. Mr Belcher emphatically declined the request, and expressed regret that there should be any attempt on the part of unionists to oppose Mr Arnold. It was explained that the movement was not so much in opposition to Mr Arnold, but to secure the services of Mr Belcher ; but as he declined to come forward the deputation would give a loyal support to Mr Arnold.

Mr P. J. O'Regan will be a candidate for the Wellington Central seat at the coming parliamentary election. Mr J. Forrester assured a Lyttelton Times reporter on Thursday that he would not be a candidate to represent Christchurch bouth, as he found that he could not spare time from business affairs.

Mr George T. Pulley has decided to contest the Hurunui seat in the Government interests at the general election. Mr F. W. Fairey, who was requested to contest the Nelson seat as a New Liberal, has stated that h© cannot see his way clear to come forward.

The roll made up recently for Dunedin Central contained 6460 names. New claims for enrolment total 2800, and about 1000 names have been struck off as having transferred to other districts. The present main roll, which is ready for the printer contains 7000 names. A house-to-house canvass failed to discover the whereabouts of 1700 electors whose names appeared on the last roll. It would be as well if people living in the Central district called on Mr Moon at the Tourist Office to make sure they are enrolled.

The main Caversham roll contains the names of 5990 electors. This is 600 more than was contained in the principal roll at the last General Election. So well have the canvassers done their work in this electorate that the supplementary roll promises to be a very small one.

Mr G. P. Wake, solicitor, Eltham, is definitely out for the Patea seat as an Independent Liberal. Mr Holdings, solicitor, has withdrawn his candidature for the Mastorton seat.

An Ingle wood message states that Mr C. Leech, who opposed Mr W. T. Jennings at the last election for the Egmont seat, has decided to again contest the seat against all-comers.

Mr A. T. Ngata has been definitely announced as a candidate for tbe Eastern Maori seat. Mr Wi Pere declares' his intention to contest the seat against allcomers.

The W aikato Argus learns on good authority that Mr Pepene Eketone, of Otorohonga, will oppose Mr Henare Kaihau at the next general election for the Western Maori electorate.

.A Christ-church telegram states that Mr U. M. Gray, Mayor of Ohristchurch, a candidate for the Christchurch North seat, in the course of an address on Monday night, favoured giving Crown tenants the option of acquiring the freehold. He condemned the 999 years' le3se, which lie considered should be turned into the freehold or shorter leases. He favoured compulsory preference to unionists, provided the unions admitted members at nominal rates. The speaker was accorded a vote of tha-nks and confidence.

The Temperance party in the Waikouaiti electorate is busy marshalling its forces in preparation for the coming elections. At a meeting held in Palmerston on the 30th ult. a Central Committee, consisting of representatives from each district, was constituted, the Rev. J. R. Clark (Palmerston) being •elected chairman and Mr B. W. Tell (Waikouadti) hon. secretary and treasurer. The Central Committee met again in Waikouaiti on Wednesday afternoon last, when a good number of delegates were present, besides local friends. Reports were received from the delegates regarding the work done so far, and intended to be done, in their respective districts, and a larg^ amount of otner business was transacted. The whole electorate is io be thoroughly organised in view of the approaching conflict, and the no-license advocates express themselves confident of winning the \\i\s kouaiti doctorate, and of adding it to the list of those already "dry."