THE GENERAL ELECTION

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10305, 9 November 1911, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTION

NOTRS ON THE COMING CONTEST. Now that the day of the general election bus been definitely fixed for Thursday, December 7, candidates are in a position to lay their plans with a view of making the best -possible use of the twenty-lour clear days that remain before the polls open. Many candidates will find it impossible to devote an evening to each centre oi tlio constituencies which they are wooing, and already some Jiavo adopted the expedient of addressing meetings • at (i.30 and 8 p.m. the same day. Generally, however, in the country districts the earlier meetings are poorly attended. To date 247 candidates have been announced for tlio seventy-six European seats in the House of Representatives. In fifteen constituencies only two candidates have been announced, and in seven there are so far five candidates. Mr J. R. Stansell, senr, who somo time ago announced himself as a Progressive Liberal candidate for the Rangitikei seat, has • withdrawn from the contest on _ the ground of pressure of business making, it impossible to devote the necessary timo to the election. A southern paper states that now that Mr George Livingstone has announced his candidature as an Independent Liberal, interest in. tlio election in beginning to wax warm in Clutha. Certainly the prominent Liberals are to be commended for the way they stuck to the task of bringing out a Liberal candidate, notwithstanding the several refusals, and giving the electors an opportunity of expressing their opinion on political matters. Mr Malcolm has not had a serious contest since ho was first elected six years ago, when he defeated Mr P. Stewart, of Balclntha. Tip to the present Clutha has never returned a supporter' of the Ballance. Sodden, or Ward Governments, but it must !>« remembered that away back in the seventies it was represented by Mr J. W. Thomson, who was a member of Sir George Grey's Government. Mr Thomson moved the no-confidence motion which resulted in displacing the Conservative' Government, and gave the Liberals their first taste of power in the dominion. The following thirteen candidates are in the field for the Northern Maori seat:—Dr Buck, Ehu Moetara (Holcianga), Huirita Tito (Tangitcrona), Herepcti Rapihana (Mangonui), Riapo Pohipi (Mangonui), Eru Iliaka (Mangonui), Wiri Nehua (Wbangarei), Uru Rewiti (Kawakawa), Reihana No,tana (Kaikohe), Kipa Roera (Russell), Hare T© ttangi (Waitangi), Eru Miliaka (Aupouri), and Hemi Te Pan (Northern Wairoa). Various attempts have been made to induce some of the candidates to withdraw, but so far not one will give way. „ _ r . " Mr F. Mander, M.P. for Marsden, returned to Auckland from Wellington last "week, fooling much better alter his recent serious illness. Mr Mander had been for the previous four weeks an inmate of the Thorndon private hospital. He will contest tlie seat, but is under doctor's orders not to attempt to canvass his electorate, and will have to content himself with speaking at one or two of the main centres later on. The position of the Opposition 1 arty in Parnell must be parlous indeed, writes "Veteran Liberal," when it has been compelled to accept as its candidate a man who has declared himself an Independent Liberal. Time was when Parnell promised to provido tlio fight of the coming campaign, when there was a prospect of Sir John 1' llidlay and the loader of the Opposition crossing swords for the honour of occupying the seat so long held by Mr frank Lawry. Mr Massey has never had any great reputation for disci etioii, but on this occasion he showed that he could be discreet when his own future was at stake. Ostensibly with the object of surveying the ground, lie left Wellington for the north, and the Tory Press" was beside itself with ]oy at the thought of the "chivalrous Mr Massey throwing down the gauntlet. to the Attorney-General on the latter's eliosen ground. But, alas I ho was not like Ctosar, that old-timo friend of Mr C. H. Ensor, the Toiy nominee for Riceai'ton, lie was not able to say "veni, vidi, vici." No, he went, he saw—and came away again, thereby making it more probable that ho would be able to take part in tlio proceedings in the House in tlio next Parliament. Now Mr Moss, who during the last few years has shown all the new-born zeal ol the proverbial apostate, has retired from the held on the ground of ill-health, and the Opposition lias decided to transfer its allegiance to Mr J. S. Dickson, an Independent Liberal. The contest lias now lost all importance from a dominion point of view, and Sir John Eindlay may saioly bo described *is the futuio member for Parnell. A correspondent writes- Oil my travels through the country recently I have discussed the political situation with a considerable number of people of all shades of politics, and have been rather surprised to find the poor esteem in which Mr Massey is held as a leader. On the Conservative Sldo there appears to be a desire to forget the traditions of tlio past, to forget that tho Conservatives in > the nasi have used every means within their power to thwart the will of' tho people and to prevent progressive measures reaching tho Statute Book. It is reallv amusing to hear some people speak of Mr Ballance and Mr Seddon as tho saviours of the country, when I can well remember the time, when these statesmen were still with us, -when tho Conservative Press and Party reviled them in the grossest terms. Were they still with us I have no doubt but they would still continue to be reviled. Mr Ballanco was no doubt a great statesman, who was taken from us all too soon, but it is nothing moro nor less than the veriest sophistry _ for tho Tories to praise him. Was it not tho late Sir John Hall who, from his placo in the House, described Mr Ballanco as ' the mildest mannered man who ever scuttled ship or cut a throat?' And, of course, ho was one of the 1 .seven devils of Socialism.' Only a few days :i!io I met ft well-known, fanner who had in the past been firm in his allegiance to tho Opposition, but who declared that he could follow the party no longer, and frankly admitted that although there was a true blue Tory in tlio field it was his intention to veto for the Government candidate. Sir Massev's proposal to grant the freehold to Crown tenants was, he said, an iniquitous one, a proposal which was nothing more nor less than barefaced bribery', and could not be defended on any ground whatever. Although ho did iiot agree with the whole, of the Government m'ogramme. the events of tho last couple of years had quite convinced him that the count ry_ would make a. very great mistake if it were to trust its destinies to tire Opposition, the members of which had not only shown no constructive statesmanship, but had not shown common honestv in claiming credit for measures which they had consistently opposed, as a perusal, of 'Hansard' would abundantly prove. Men who were not honest in small things could not reasonably bo expected to be holiest in great things, and consequently ho had decided not to waste any longer his vote in casting it for a supporter of a decadent party." Speaking recently in Wellington, Mr J. A. Hanan, member for invercargill, with "reference to the representation of Independent Labour in the House of Representatives, said that ho and other Radical members had been pressed to .stand at the coming general election as Independent Labour candidates, but they had agreed that they could'secure better results for tho benefit of tho working classes and the advancement of the great majority of tho peoplo by supporting tho present Progressive Liberal and Labour alliances. Tho Radicals had been tried and tested. They had not only advocated progress, but had voted in the House for measures which were now included in the new Labour Party's programme. Tho Radical members were as earnest; ze slews *ml able advocates of the legitimate claims of labour and

of industrial and social movements as any who styled themselves " Labour leaders." Continuing, lie said it could not be denied that the Radical section of the House was ill every sense representative of labour, and that its sympathies and aspirations were with the. wage-earners in respect of all their conditions. For example, was not Mr •I. I'\ Arnold a bootmaker by trade, who had capably represented the workers bef ore the Arbitration • Court and at- Labour Conferences, and. had ho not been, like other Radicals, active in. the House in urging that .justice should bo dono to the reasonable claims of labour r 1 Air T. 11. Davey was by t'-ado a compositor, and had held positions in trade unions and on other bodies for the benefit of the workers. Mr J. T. Hogan, up to the- time oMns election, was an employee of the Wanganui Railway Workshops. Mr C. 11. Poole was a sailor. Mr .J, Colvin was a butcher by trade. Mr M. G. Ell, who had proved himself to be one of the most earnest and active workers in the dominion for Radical and social reforms, had been a wage-earner up to the time of his election. To this list might be added, among other members of the Radical side of the Ho,use, and those who had been in more than one Parliament, Sir Arthur Messrs G. Laurenson, G. W. Russell, G. Witty. T. K. Sidey, 11. Poland, J. Stallwortny and T. .10. Y. Seddon. Theise legislators, having practical legislative experience and knowledge of the difficulties to be mot with in the passing of the advanced measures desired bv some ardent and theoretical reformers, considered it would not be to the advantage of the workers at the present time to destroy or weaken the piesent Progressive Liberal and Labour alliance. it was true that there was a Labour Party in Australia, but tho .same conditions did not exist in New Zealand. The dominion's legislation had been steadily progressive and undeniably in advance of that of the Australian Parliaments. In conclusion, Mr Hanan said that all intelligent and fair-minded persons who read the number of advanced measures passed by the Ballance, Seddon. and Ward Governments, and the progressive reforms outlined in this year's Budget, would admit that the policy of the present Progressive Liberal and Labour Party was of the most advanced and democratic character. The Radicals advocated the reforms which they believed to bo within the domain of practical politics, and Liberal and Labour supporters should continue to vork shoulder to shoulder in fighting the Conservative Party. Labour could not do without allies under present conditions, and consequently would not gain as much at? was being assured by the Progressive Liberal and Labour alliance, if it took up an independent and isolated position in the House. The clesiro of a rash and noisy section of discontented labour was to put the Conservative Party into power in order to defeat the Liberals, in the hope, that the > "Independents" might find it easier to dislodge the Conservatives than they would find it now by fair and direct attack to dislodge the Liberals. " Let labour beware ofthe.se evil counsels," said Mr Hanan, "lest they find themselves wandering for many a. day in the wilderness, with the Pharaoh of Toryism in power, and many of them die, like the Israelites of old, before they get even a distant glimpse of the Promised Land to which they would now so rasliJy liurrv their march."

ASPIRANTS FOR PARLIAMENTARY HONOURS. The following list gives the names of tlio candidates announced for the various seats. An asterisk (*) denotes members of the 1908-11 Parliament, and a dagger (t) : niembers of previous Parliaments, but not of the present one. Supporters of tho Government are indicated by the letter (G.) placed after their names. (0.) implies supporters of the Opposition, (1.) Independent, (1.L.) Independent Liberal, (L.) Liberal, (Lab.) Labour, and (Soc.) Socialist:—

BAY OF ISLANDS.—'"V. JLL Reed (G.), J. Wilkinson (0,).

KAIPARA.—*J. Stallworthy (a.), +A. E. Harding (O.), E. T. Field (1.L.), J. Gordon Coates (I.L:).

MARSDEN.-'F. Manckr (0.), E. C. Purdio (G.). "WAIT E MAT A. E-wen Alison (1.L.), A. Hams (O.), fW. J. Napier (G.). EDEN—*J. Bollard (0.), +W. J. Speight (G.).

AUCKLAND WEST.-*C. 11. Poole (G.), J. H. Bradney (0.), W. Wilson (Lab.), I. L. Thompson (I.).

AUCKLAND CENTRAL.—"A. E. Glover (G.), M. J. Savage (Soc.), J. C. Gleeson (G.), AUCKLAND EAST.—*A. M. Myers (G.), C. D. Grey (1.L.), E. M. C. Clayton (Lab.), A. Withy (G-.). GREY LYNN.—'Hon G. Fowlds (G.), W. H. Murray (0.), C. Norgrovo (1.L.), J. Payno (I.Lab.). PAHNELL.—Sir John Find lay (G.), M. J. Mack (Lab.), E. Pitt (L.), J. Sw Dickson (L. and Lab.). MANUKAU. *F. W. Lang (0.), J. B. Morton (L.), It. B. Stewart (G.), G. Wilkinson (G.). FRANKLIN—''W. P. Massey (0.), J. W. M'Larin (G.). RAGLAN.—R. F. Bollard (O.), J. P. Bailey (G.), V. Duncan (G.). J. C. Droingool (G.), Allan 801 l (I.), J3asii Hov.-itt (1.L.). THAMES. ■ — *E. 11. Taylor (G.), T, W. Rhodes (1.L.), Joseph Clark (0.). OHINEHUBI.—'Ii. Poland (G.), P. H. Hickey (Lab.), N. M'Robie (0.). WAIKATO. —*11. J. Grccnslado (G.), J. A. Young (I.). TAURANGA. - "W. 11. Herries (O.), C. Manuel (G.), P. Keegan (U.). R. King- (G.), C. 11. Clinkard (L. and No-License). BAY OF PLENTY.—*W. D. S. Macdonald (G.), C. A. De Lautour (0.). TAUMAR U'NUI.—*W. T. Jennings (G.), C. lv. Wilson (0.). CiISBOitNE. —".Sir James Carroll (G.). HAWKE'S BAY—tA. L. D. Fraser (G.), H. M. Campbell (0.), E. Lane (1.), 11. I. Simson (G.), G. Spencer Clapham (L.L&b.). NAPIER.—*J. Vigor Brown (G.), C. Mackenzie, (ij"b.), E. Crowley (0.). WAIPAWA. —IG. Hunter (C>.)» A. E. Jull CO.). PAIIIATUA.—*E. B. lloss (G.), J. H. EBeott (0.), S. Bolton (0.), W. H. Hawkins (1,0.).

AIA ST EIIT 0N * A. W. Hogg (1.L.), G. R. Sykes (0.), j. Hunter (G.), A. H. Herbert (O.). WAIRAKAPA.—*W. C. Buchanan (0.), fJ. T. il. Hornsby (G.), C. \V. Tanner (G.). TARANAKI—*H. J. 11. Okcy (O.), W. J. Malono (G.), C. E. Bellringer (G.), W. Forbes (1.0.). STRATFORD. "J. B. Hme (O.), J. M'Cluggage (G.). EGMONT. —*JJ. Divo (0.), Hon T. Mackenzie (G.),. W. C. Dudley (I.), C. A. Wilkinson (I.), J. S. Toaland (Democrat)., PATEA—*G. Y. Pearco (0.), P. O'Doa (G.), F. Train (G.). WAI MARISO.—*II. W. Swiili (G.), F. F. Hockley (0.), A. J. Joblin (0.), J. Ivcss (G.). WAN G ANUL— * J. T. Ho K an (G.), |G. Hutchison (0.), C. E. Mackay (1.L.), W. A. V: ''ch (Lab.).

OROUA.— *D. 'H. Gutlirio (0.), 11. E. Horn blow (G.). IiANCMTIKEI.—*E. Newman (O.), 11. C. Groom ((!.), W. Moldrum (CI.), C. B. Collins (undefined).'' PALMEHSTON. 'II. Buick (O.), +R. M'Nab (G.), W. Milvertou (1.), \Y. Thomson OTAKI.-nV. H. Field (G.), C. A. W. Moiicldou (0.), Byron Brown (I.O.), W. Thomson (O.).

HUTT. - "T. M. Wilford (G.), J. W. Al'Ewen (I.O.), it. W. Short (0.), M. J. Iteardon (Lab.), W. M. Webb (().).

WELLINGTON NORTH.—'A. L. Herdman (O.), Dr Izard (G.), E. J. Carey (Lab.).

WELLINGTON CENTRAL.— ¥ F. M. B. Fisher (0.), R. Fletcher (G.), W. T. Young (Lab.).

WELLINGTON EAST. (Lab.). f])r A. K. Newman (0.), F. G. Bolton (G.), J. Brodie (I.). WELLINGTON SOUTH.—*R. A. Wright (0.), t\Y. A'. P. Barber A. H. Hindniarsli (L[,b.), R. Hogg (fioc.l.

WELLINGTON SUBURBS AND COUNTRY DISTRICT.—"J. P. Luke (1.L.), J. E. Fitzgerald (G.), F. T. Moore (Lub.), F. Freeman (Sot.\), W. H. D. Bell (O.). NELSON.—G. Macinalion (G.), H. Alrnore (1.L.), W. .T. Moffutt (1.L.), W. S. Hamsun (0.), G. Bishop (0.). MOTUEKA. —"Hon R. M'Kenzie (G.), R. Smith (0.), F. Ji. Durbridg-e (0.). 'BULLER. *J. Colvin (G.), Fergus F. Miuivo (Lab.). GREY.— * Sir Arthur Guinness (Cr.), A. C. Russell (0.), I'. C. Webb (Lab.). WESTLAND.—*T. E. Y. Seddon (G.), H. L. Michel (1.L.).

W'AIRAU.—*J. Duncan (0.), R. M/Callum (G.), A. Wiffen (G.). HURUNUI.—*G. W. Forbes (G.), D. 1). Macfarlane (0.).

KAIAPOI. "Hon V. Buddo (G.), Hi. Moore (0.), J. II Blackwull (LL.). CHRISTCHURCIt NORTH. - *L. M. Isitt (1.L.), J. D. Hall (0.), J. li. Pciherick (ti.). OHRISTCHURCH EAST,—*T. H. Davey (G.), 1-1. Hunter (Lab.), F. ,R. Cooke (Soe.), II T. J. Thacker (1.L.). CHfUSTCiIUKCH SOUTH'.-"II. G. Ell

(G.)i G. R- Whiting (Lab.), E. J. Howard. (Soo.). AVON.—*G. W. Russell (G.), W. R. Smith (Lab.). J. M'Combs (1.L.). SELWYN—*C. A. C. Hardy (0.), W. J. Dickie (G.) RICCARTON.-*G. Witty (G.), R. Hampton (Lab.), X. L. Drnminond (I.Lab.j, 13. G. Sullivan (Lab.), C. H. Ensor (O.). LYTTE.LTON.—*G. Laureusou (G.), Colin Cook (1.L.). W. G. Shackel (Lab.). ELLESMEKE.—*K. H. Rhodes (O.), G. Armstrong (1.L.), F. Rowell (G.). ASHBTJRTON.—*W. Nosworthy (0.), fj. H'Lachlau (G.), J. Kennedy (G.), W. >S. Masliu (G.). TIMARU.—'*J. Craigie (G.). Jesse Reader (Lab.). "VV. Angland (1.L.), K. Gould (Soc.), J. Harold Moore (0.). TEMUKA.—"T. Buxton (C.), G. W. /mintage (().), W. Jeffries (0.). WAITAICI. —W. G. Paul (Lab.). F. •H. Smith (0.), |J. A. Mncpherson (G.). OA MAR U.—*Hon T. Y. Duncan (G.), R. Milligan (G.), E. P. Lee (0.). CENTRAL OTAGO.— + .R. Scott (0.), J. Bennetts (G.), J. H. Pisrott (G.), A. Ashworth (I.), W. D. Mason (G.).

DUNEDIN NORTH. *G. M. Thomson (0,); tA. Bt Barclay (Lab.), J. Loudon (G.), H, K. Douglas (1.L.). DUNEDIN WEST.-"Hon J. A. Millar (G.), +H. D. Bedford (I.), J. W. Munro (Soc.). / DUNEDIN CENTRAL. -M. F. Arnold (G.), C. E. Statham (0.), D. Macpherson (Lab.). DUNEDIN SOUTH.—*T. K. Sidey (G.), J. E. M'Mnnus (Lab.). CHALMERS.—*E. H. Clark (G.), J. T. Johnson (1.L.), F. W. Platts (L.), A. M'Carthv (Lab.), J. Dixon (0.). BP.UCK.—*J. Allen (0.). P. JL'Kinlay (G.). CLUTIIA. "A. S. Malc&lm (O.), J. E. Keenan (G.), Angus M'Donald (G.)/ G. Livingutone (1.L.).

WAKATIPU.—*W. Frascr (0.), Joseph Stephens (G.), J. Horn (G.l.

MATAURA.—*C>. J. Anderson (0.), J. Carmicliael (G.), J. M'Gibbon (1.L.). INVERCARGILL.—*J. A. Hanan (G.), H. J. Farrant (Lab.), Thoiua«i Fleming 1 (0.). AWARUA. *Sir J. G. Ward ' (G.), J. Hamilton (0.), A. W. Morris (Lab.). WALLACE.—*J. C. Thomson (G.), J. King (0.), A. Carmichael (0.). NORTHERN MAORI. - *Te Ranfjihiroa (G-.), Wirinehua (G.), Hare Hongi (G.), J. Heonri Tepaa, Andrew M'Math. EASTERN MAORI.— 'Hon A. T. Ngata (G.), Richard Parker.

WESTERN MAORI. _ *IT. Kailmu (G.), Keri Toko To Alia (G.), Hamii Tawhaio (G.), Pepene Eketono (G.), I)r PomaTe (G.). SOUTHERN MAORl.—Charles R. Parala (G.), D. Love (G.), T. K. Watson (G.), J. E. W. Uru (I.), James Apes, J. Ellison.