SOUTHLAND OUTLOOK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19758, 12 October 1938, Page 6

SOUTHLAND OUTLOOK

TWO NATIONAL GAINS [NVEEOARGILL & MATAURA OTHER SEATS FIRMLY HELD The tremendous outburst of cheering by a huge crowd at the Invercariiiil station when the Leader of the National Party, the Hon. A. Hamilton, left for the north on Monday to continue his campaign and messages of support which were read to him Have a good indication of public opinion in Southland and particularly in Invercargill.

Southland has been invaded by Ministers, the greatest attack being directed against Mr. Hamilton. The Opposition leader's seat, however, seems to have lost none of its security by this attack, and, despite organised disruptions at his meetings in the mining areas, it seems likely that his majority will be bigger than three years ago.

In Invercargill a vigorous campaign is being conducted by Mr. F. G. Hall Jones, National, Mr. W. C. Denham, Labour, and Mr. G. E. T. Dorman, independent. Mr. Dorman's chances are not regarded seriously, but it is believed he will take more Labour votes than National. On that and on the general atmosphere of the meetings of the other candidates is based belief in the possibility of Labour failing to hold the seat for a second term. There is a possibility also of another change in Southland. Mr. T. L. MacDonald is being well received by large audiences throughout the Mataura electorate, where Labour is offering no opposition to the sitting member, Mr. D. McDougall, Independent, and the chances of Air. McDougall losing the seat seem not remote. Southland's fourth seat, Awarua, seems almost as safe as Mr. Hamilton's. Mr. Hargest's Labour opponent, .Air. J. A. Beck, bas been campaigning industriously, particularly among farmers, but Mr. Hargest's meetings generally have been better attended and he has been subjected to comparatively little interjection. After a general review of the campaign in Southland, it seems certain that the National Party will lose nothing and stands more than an even chance of gaining two seats.