THE BRUCE ELECTION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1887, 13 April 1892, Page 2

THE BRUCE ELECTION.

A Milton correspondent, writing under yesterday's date, sends us the following :— There are no lack of signs in the air that the Bruce election will be fought with great | sfcubborness, and that the big guns on both sides will be early in the fight. The first shot will be fired to-morrow evening at; Milton, I when the electors will be put in possession of the Liberal programme as Mr Lee Smith has received it direct from the hands of his Ministerial masters for the time being. On the following evening he will gather the sturdy farmers in the vicinity of Lake Wai hola around him and explain the beneficent intentions of the Government as illustrated in their policy of piling burdens on the tillers of the soil. Mr Jas. Allen follows suit at Milton on Thursday evening, and on Saturday evening will make his confession of faith before the electors at Kaitangata. After that it will be a fair field and no favour, and, no doubt, victory for the man whose political opinions and personality find most favour with the free and independent. It is, perhaps, just as well that the contest has been narrowed down to a choice of two men, who may be said to be thorough representatives of their respective parties. This enables the election to be made a test of the strength of parties in a typical country constituency. Trades unionism, of course, carries the Government through in the towns, just as it did in Wellington lately. But Ministers assert they can carry their hand also among the farmers, and no better opportunity could possibly be desired for testing the truth of their assertions than the impending Bruce election. .Both of the candidates have already been over the greater part of the electorate, have moved freely among the settlers, and have satisfied themselves of their chances as far. at least, as this not very reliable method of feeling the pulse of the constituency permits. As far as it is possible to judge, Mr Allen is the favourite around Milton, though Mr Smith will also receive considerable support there. It is understood that he is to receive the block vote, and as that is computed throughout; the electorate to number 300, it cannot be said that his chances of success are not worth something. He will also endeavour to gain the labour vote, and those entrusted with the duty of organising that section of the electorate have been vigorously at work during the past week or two. This, in fact, is the main source of Mr Lee Smith's strength — the block vote and the labour vote. At Kaitangata it is said the voting will <>d nearly as possible be equally divided ; while all around Inch Clutha and the immediate districts, taking in Stirling, Hillend, Lovells Flat, etc., Mr Lee Smith will get but very meagre support. Among the farmers the Government policy, of which he is for the nonce an advocate, is certain to damn him ; nor is it likely, however much Mr Lee Smith may now profess his interest in the welfare of the settlers, that they can forget his inexcusably selfish conduct on the bag question. On the occasion of that dispute, he stood out a conspicuous and not very creditable contrast to a number of the grain merchants of the city. Nor can it be expected that a policy having for its purpose the creation of class hatred and spoliation can command the approval or support of the bulk of such a constituency as Bruce, however it may be in the cities. The Hon. John M'Kenzie has opportunely timed his visit, so that he may be of service to Mr Lee Smith. The Hon. Mr Seddon, too, it is expected, will find an excuse to visit the electorate while the fight is on. Mr Leo Smith will also have the services of Sir Robert Stout, who will be followed by Messrs Earnshaw and Pinkerton, each of whom will deliver a political address through the electorate. Mr Allan will have the oratory and influence of two such doughty champions as Messrs Scobie MacKeuzie and Tom MacKenzie— «two men whose influence among the settlers should be very considerable. However the issue goes, it cannot certainly be said that the electors will lack either stimulus — oratorical, of course— or instruction in whatever choice they make. The 4th of May is fixed for the polling day.