THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143670, 14 December 1911, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

EXCITEMENT IN WELLINGTON. ANOTHER BIG OPPOSITION MEETING. (Special to Herald.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 13. The principal interest in the local campaign to-night centred in Mr. Ember's meeting in the Town Qall. 'There was an enormous audience, which bad begun te assemble an hour befbreVthe advertised time of meeting. When/Mr. Fisher (accompanied by hib wifw' and mother), walked, on to thcplatform, the audience, numbering 3500, rose on mass and cheered vociferously. There was a scene 6f great excitement, and the cheering broke out again and again. Mr. Fisher, at the outset, congratulated the Labour Party in Paroell on its action in deciding to fight on its action in deciding to t ght against the Attorney-General.—(Loud cheers.) The Opposition was returning the compliment by voting for the Labour candidates in Otaki, Wanganui and Grey Lynn.—(Renewed cheering.) He oouid see in imagination the Premier on Friday morning furtively clutching the keys of office before handing them over, because the Premier knew that even if he won every second ballot tomorrow there were several men in ms own party- who were only waiting the opportunity to change over. A rererence to the unsettling influence of the second ballot system, and the necessity l for its abolition, was received with a storm of cheers. Mr. Fisher scored repeatedly off the few interjectors who made their voices heard, and was repeatedly cheered throughout his engthy speech. He finished brilliantly, and even if he should be beaten to-morrow he will at all events have the satisfaction of knowing that he put up a splendid fight. . Mr. Fletcher’s meeting was also well attended, hut he spoke prosily and had not nearly so many listeners nor so enthusiastic a reception. He is, however, getting the liquor, the Catholic, andtho Government vote, so will poll well. The final result depends upon, how the Labour vote is divided. SECOND BALLOTS IN WELLINGTON. (Special to Herald.) WELLINGTON, Deo. 13. 'Whatever happens at the second ballots, the Government has to admit defeat so far as Wellington is concerned, seeing that four of five of its candidates have already gone under in the ’first ballets. In Wellington North the Reform candidate beat both tbs ■ Goveminent and Labour, and is elected. In the other four seats the contest in only one instance is between Government and Opposition. In the other three seats the contest is between the Opposition and Labour candidates, and one of these seats., the Suburban,' is practically a.certainty for-the Opposition, for Mr. Bell promises to win handsomely. The polling in the three City seats promises to be very close, and it is not an easy matter to pick the winners. In the fight between Mr. Fisher (Opposition) and Mr. Fletcher (Government) it will all depend upon how the bulk Of the Labour vote will go. It looks as if it would bo fairly evonlv divided, in which case a very close "contest may be anticipated. In Wellington East, where Dr. Newman (Opposition) and Mr. M’Laren (Labour) are fighting hard, the issue will depend upon how the Government votes cast at the first ballot for Mr. Bolton will go. Dr. Newman has a fair majority from the first ballot to work On, and Mr. M’Laren’s Cause has been somewhat damaged by the publication of a record of divisions that docs not altogether please the working man ; nevertheless the voting may be close, and the issue is still in doubt. In the South seat, where Mr. Wright (Opposition) 1* pitted against Mr. Hindraarsh (Labour), the issue will also be largely decided by the Government votes given to Mr. Barber at the first ballot. Were Mr. Wright fighting the Government-can-didate in the second ballot he would win easily; as it is, he will have to work hard for victory. There seems every likelihood that the Government candidates will bedefeated both at Wanganui and Otaki by the Labour men. Tho Reform Party is voting largely with the Labour candi'dates“ who are pledged to vote against Wardism. In Masterton the_ sympathy vote is being worked for all it is worth in order to save Mr. Hogg from defeat. That is the only thing that can give. him a chance; but even if Mr. Hofjg is re-elected he can scarcely be looked upon any longer as a Government supportcr.