THE ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 24, 13 December 1911, Page 4

THE ELECTIONS.

Keen Fight at the Ballot—Opposition Poll Weil.

Leading By Three.

Thirty Second Ballots Required.

The outstanding feature- ol the 1911 general elections is the large number of seats which remain to be decided on the second ballot to-morrow, which in its political significance amounts almost to the importance of a second general election. Of the -76 European seats no less than 30 have again to be contested this week, and as the result of second ballots, from previous experience, is not always to be estimated by the figures of the first ballot, the interest of the electors throughout the country is practically sure to be even greater than it was last week, especially in view of the fact that the issue will be a purely political one, undivided by the local option and prohibition questions. Great as was the crowd, and keen- as was the interest manifested in the fortunes of the various men and issues, tha utmost good order prevailed, practically nothing occurring to mar the general good nature of the crowd or to jar the legitimate note of enthusiasm displayed by the several various sentiments necessarily represented in so great a concourse. -And the same report of orderliness and good feeling eomes from the other centres of the Dominion, the general tone exhibited reflecting the highest credit on the citizens of the Dominion as a whole, and illustrating that no matter how keen party and partisan sentiment may run, the day of tumult and broken heads has given place to that of less impetuous but of more significant enthusiasm.

PARTY STRENGTH.

FORTY-FOUR DEFINITE RETURNS. OPPOSITION 23 GOVERNMENT .... 20 The returns give the Government 20 seats, and the Opposition 23 seats. Two Independents have been returned. GOVERNMENT GAINS. Egmont: Hon. T. Mackenzie. Selwyn: W. J. Dickie. OPPOSITION GAINS. Auckland West: J. H. Braduey. Taumaruuui: C. K. Wilson. Waipawa: G. Hunter. Oamaru: E. P. Lee. Dunedin Central: Mr. 0. E. Statham. INDEPENDENT LIBERALS. Waikato: J. A. Young. Thames: T. W. Rhodes. POSITIONS OF MEMBERS. The 20 Government candidates returned are:— Auckland Central: Mr. Glover. Auckland East: Mr. Myers. Bay of Islands: Mr. Vernon Reed. Bay of Plenty: Mr. Macdonald. Gisborne: Sir Jas. Carroll. East Coast: Hon. A. T. Ngata. Egmont: Hon. T. Mackenzie. Napier: Mr. Vigor Brown. Hutt: Mr. Wilford. Butter: Mr. Colvin. Grey: Sir A. Guinness. Westland: Mr. Seddon. , Lyttelton: Mr. Laurenson. Selwyn: Mr. Dickie. Wallace: Mr. Thomson. Motueka: Hon. R. McKenzie. Hurunui: Mr. Forbes. Temuka: Mr. Buxton. Dunedin South: Mr. Sidey. Awarua: Sir Joseph Ward. 1 OPPOSITION. The 23 scats won by Oppositionist are:— Franklin: Mr. Massey. Auckland West: Mr. Bra’dney.

Eden: Mr. Bollard. Manukau: Mr. Lang. Taumarunui: Mr. Wilson. Tauranga: Mr. Herries. Marsden: Mr. Mander. Waipawa: Mr. Hunter. ■Palmerston: Mr. Buick. Oamaru: Mr. Lee. Orua: Mr. Guthrie. Rangitikei: Mr. Newman. Taranaki: Mr. Okey. Stratford: Mr. Hine. Bruce: Mr. Allen. Otago Central: Mr. Scott. Wellington North: Mr. Herdman. Patea: Mr. Pearee. Mataura: Mr. Anderson, c'lutha: Mr. Malcolm. Ellesmere: Mr. Rhodes. Waka-tipu: Mr. Fraser, Dunedin Central: Mr. C. E. Stathaffl. BIG MAJORITY OF VOTES FOR THE GOVERNMENT. Although the complete results are not yet. available in a number of electorates, it is exceedingly interesting to note that the Liberal vote at the poll exceeded the Opposition vote by 38,980. Tn. all, 112. Liberal candidates went to the poll, and between them scored the splendid total, to date, of 210,137. Seventy-three Oppositionists polled 177,157 votes, while the 27 Labour and Socialist candidates received 44,594 votes. At a glance the position as revealed by the ballot is:-— Liberals 218,602. Opposition 181,107 Labour and: Socialism .... 45,305

SECOND BALLOT.

THIRTY UNDECIDED CONTESTS. KAIPARA. *J. Stallworthy G R. J. G. Coates I WAITEMATA. W. J. Napier G A. Harris O GREY LYNN. *Hon. George Fowlds G Ji. Payne Li PARNELL. J. S. Dickson I Sir John Findlay „ G OHINEMURI. *H. Poland G P. H. Hickey S RAGLAN. |R. F, Bollard O Allen Bell 0 HAWKE'S BAY. H. M. Campbell O If. I. Simeon G. PAHIATUA. J. H. Eseott O »R. B. Ross G MASTERTON. •A. W. Hogg I G. R. Sykes O OTAKI. •W. H. Field G i J. Robertson L WELLINGTON CENTRAL. •F. M. B. Fisher O'/ OR. Fletcher G J. WELLINGTON EAST. tl>r. A. K. Newman O - *D. McLaren If WELLINGTON SOUTH. •K A. Wright .-. O A. H. Hififimarkli .......na li, '

WXXXUGTOIf SUBURB*. JF. H D. Bkß ............ O OF. T, Moore ~..»rir,T,,. L NELSON. 08. Atmore I W. J. Moffatt .. . ... ...... I CHALMERS. >B. H. Clark I ff. T. Johnson I WAIMARINO. (Formerly Kangitikei.jt *R. W. Smith . G IF. F. Hockly O WANGANUI. W. A. Veitch ........ L. •J. T. Hogan €l. WAIRAU. •J. Duncan I. Ji. McCallum G. KAIAPOI. R. Moore O. •lion. D. BudUo G. TIMARU. •J.. Craigie ft. J. M. Moore O'. CHRISTCHURCH EAST. Dr. H. J. T. Thacker T. II. Davey G. CHRISTCHURCM NORTH. D. M. Isitt J . I. J. D. Hall O. ASHBURTON. <W. Nos worthy , G J. Kennedy G. AVON. •G. W. Russell ... G. J. McCombs I. WAITAKI. F. H. Smith G. J-. A. Macpherson G-. RICCARTON. •G. Witty G. C. H. Ensor I. INVERCARGILL. •J. A. Hanan G. T. Fleming Ot DUNEDIN NORTH. •G. M. Thomson .... 0. It. ,R'. Douglas I. DUNEDIN WEST. «Hon. J. A. Millar G. „'M. D. Bedford 0. * Signifies member in the Ward* Ad ministration.