MR MASSEY'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14232, 21 December 1911, Page 7

MR MASSEY'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

Ample evidence of the ability of Mr Massey as a campaigner is afforded by tho results of the general elections (says tho Auckland "Herald). During the five weeks which intervened between tho end of last session and tho first ballot, Mr Massey travelled from Parncll to Awarun, and in every district in which ho addressed meetings the Re- ; form Party achieved success. Hawkc'a Bay was at ono timo discussed ns a e«at to which the Hon. T. Mackenzie might aspire. Tho Minister selected E&niont, and oven Mr Massey's iniluence was not sufficient to equalise Mr D-ivc's chances against tho southern invader. But Mr Massey also visited Hawke's Bay, and there Reform won the day. Sir Joseph Ward lost his temper in addressing tho electors of Waipawa, and, so far as tho Government was concerned, the. scat ' went with his temper. In this instance* also the Reform Party's candidato was given tho assistance of Ids leader in tho shape of an address to electors.' Another district formerly represented by a Government supporter was Masterton. Mr Massey met many of its electors, and they elected the candidato whom ho supported. In Wellington, tho party had Mr Massey's assistance, and won two seats for the-one it lost, so thdt it now hokls four of the five Wellington City seats. For many years Oamaru and Waitttki have been represented by Government supporters, but Mr Massey took a hand in tho fight, and both districts rejected tho Government candidato. Tho samo result followed in Dunedin Central, in Nelson, in Grey Lynn, in Taumarunui, in Wnikato, in Pahiatua, and in Wniteinata. Nor can there bo aify doubt that Parnell was won largely as a result of tho efforts exerted by tho Reform Leader. Ho also cavo an address in Winton, tho political capital of tho Primo Minister's constituency, and though the sent was not won, that centre voted a minority for Sir Joseph Ward, though three years a_o ho gained in Winton a largo majority of votes übovo his opponent. Nono of tho three Opposition districts where a Government candidate won tho day was visited by Mr Massey. Some credit is surely due to tho electors of Franklin for this result, for, by their refusal to part with Mr Massey, they left him free to tour the country. In other circumstances, ho would have j won Parnoll, but it is doubtful whether iso mnny victories Would have boon } gained by the party.