KEEN FIGHT IN SOUTH

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1043, 6 August 1930, Page 1

KEEN FIGHT IN SOUTH

BY-ELECTION CAMPAIGN STRAIGHT-OUT ISSUE Special to THE SUE INVFRCARGILL, Tuesday. Frequently a by-election excites little interest, but this is not so in Invercargill, where a keen contest is in progress for the representative to succeed Sir Joseph Ward. A week ago it appeared that four candidates would be in the field, but when nominations closed it was found tha f there wouid be a straight-out issue between Reform and United. Mr. William Hinchey, who had been definitely announced as standing as an Independent Fusionist, thereby causing consternation in the United ranks, was prevailed upon to withdraw at the last minute. His action has helped the cause of the Dniteds, as he had a big Liberal following, bat it is not too much to say that his own political light has fused. The Labour Party here had a meeting and decided to put up a candidate, the Rev. J. K Archer being first choice and Mr. W. Denenham, a local man, second. The nomination was to be confirmed by headquarters and a prominent local leader went to Wellington with Mr. D. G. Sullivan, M.P., to finalise the matter. Then came the announcement that there would be no Labour candidate. The result is that there is a decided split in Labour circles here and it seems quite evident that some will vote Reform and some United. CAMPAIGN OPENED The two candidates, Mr. Vincent Ward (United) and Mr. James Hargest (Reform) began their campaigns last Friday and are being kept busy addressing several meetings each day. Mr. Ward has had no previous platform experience and is by no means a forceful or proficient speaker. but there is no mistaking the warm feeling that still exists for the name that has had such a long association with and done so much for Southland.

Mr. Hargest is an old campaigner and is quite at home on the platform. He has been indulging in some straight talking and hard hitting, a local evening paper being one of the principal objects of his attack. Altogether it is developing into a bright and breezy battle between the two men, who are even more dissimilar than the parties they represent. It is very difficult to say how the issue will go Both sides are well organised and both are genuinely confident they can win. There is no gainsaying the fact that Reform's prospects are brighter than for many years, but there will still be a great many people who will find it extremely distasteful to strike out the name of Ward on the ballot paper. It can safely be said that not many votes will separate the candidates when the result is announced next Wednesday, but the odds at present seem slightly in favour of Mr. Ward, though Mr. Hargest will probably improve his position during the remaining days owing to his superiority as a speaker.