HAWKE'S BAY SEAT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11948, 6 March 1917, Page 6

HAWKE'S BAY SEAT.

SIR JOHN FINDLAY'S POSITION, j (Special to " ft far.") j HASTINGS, March <>. j The general opinion here is that Mr Fraser's withdrawal makes the election result a certainty for Sir John Pindlay. His co ram it tee is working jointly with the Fraser organisation, and is pooling all resources to secure a big majority. They wiil circulate a manifesto declaring that a big majority for bir John. Findla.y will be a. .stimulus to the National Cabinet in handling the immense problems wdich the. war has created. ftir John Fiudlay is tic; forcing himself upon tiio Ilawke's Bay electorate in apermanent attempt to hold the scat if ho is .dectod, and unless there, is a most- emphatic demand that he shall j continue to represent Hawke's Bay ho j will retire in favour of a resident when j the war is over and his war work done, j More efficiency and greater boldness, J they add, will characterise tho National Government's policy if Hawke's Bay returns by an emphatic majority the official candidate of a war-winning Government. "Until this development' there was grave danger, through the apathy of Reformers and the active .support of some of them for Mr Fraser, of letting in a candidate whom they had strong persona! grounds for keeping out. Dissatisfaction among a section of the Hastings Liberals over the proeeduro of selection at the convention was also operating amongst the Fiudlay party iu Air Fraser's favour, but there is hardly any possibility of this vote benefiting jMr iSimson. The latter's personal following has been carefully cultivated in the most energetic way by the candidate, and will still make the contest very keen. Mr Campbell, the former Reform member, has announced his intention of actively supporting Sir John Findiay. Mr Mac Donald will speak at Wairoa to-night and at Hastings on Wednesday, with Mr Prawer in prospect,. Sir James Carroll, who arrives" in New Zealand to-day, is also participating in the final schemes. The -whole electorate is intensely interested, but the depleted roils will cause a comparatively small poll.