POLITICAL PROSPECTS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 97, 30 May 1914, Page 8

POLITICAL PROSPECTS.

To the Editor of THE SUN. Sir, —Under the above heading in your." issue- of Saturday last you give some interesting reading in regard to the different electorates and what the writer of the notes' thinks ' might. be the results at the next election. £ I .know : you will • pardon'me if l say that P feel sureyour writer is a false prophet""in regard to Ohristchurch South." , .:V; In <;he first place, I don 't- think Me, Thorn has any .intention of* splitting::the • Labour vote, at least I hope not, for he - must realise that Mr Whiting has—l was nearly saying an easy- win—a splendidopportunity of winning this seat in. the interest of the progressive forces," and more especially: if a: Befoim i candidate , is dug up to contest the seat. If we take/ the voting at the last election, we find that Mr Ell polled 3690 votes,. Mr Whiting 3059, and Mr Howard 540; this gave » Mr Ell a majority of 91 votes ove£ the' two candidates. Now, if a Reform Candidate is standing this year, he will take at least 1500 votes from Mr Ell, and, for the reason that Mr Ell's views were the nearest to the Reformers on the last . occasionj and seeing that Mr Whiting has gained ground since ' thfe last elec- > tion, he must poll more than he polled previously. Thus we have Mr Ell's vote ; reduced to about 2000- or 2100, And if • the Reform candidate can 1000 Votes of those who were riot recijrded-at the last election, that, would .mJtke his total 2500. This would" leave Mr Whiting . an easy winner, as he must poll anything between 3400. and . 3600. In any case it must be clear to any person- that the struggle will be between Mr Whiting and the Reform candidate (should one stand), and not, as suggested by your 'writer, between Mr'Ell-and the Reform candidate. *

Will you allow me to say this an conI did not support Mr Whiting at the last election. He was unknown to me at the time, but since then I have come in contact with that he has been doing," and will say; at once that he will have my hearty-; SHgs port at the forthcoming elections'. Sincie. Mr Whiting has been Mayor of Spreydon I have watched his administrative abilities, and can safely say that he is fitted for a much higher position than he holds to-day; and the ratepayers of Spreydon who are electors of Christchurch South appreciate his valuable services • and will, I feel sure, when the time comes help to place hini in a. position where he ean'; and will carry out the more work of the country. I therefore trust there will be no split inthft Labour vote>, for this is. a seatwhere we can wijiwithr out the slightest chance of a Eeform candidate "stepping am, etc., • . T>EMOdfiAT.