GREY BY-ELECTION

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16214, 17 May 1918, Page 6

GREY BY-ELECTION

CAMPAIGN NOTES.

(SPECIAL TO "THE PBK3S.") ,

GREYMOUTH. May 16. Although there is little discussion oh the by-election, both sides aro working hard.

Mr Coates's supporters are confident that they will be able to regain the seat for the Liberals.

Mr Holland's platform work is not adding to his popularity. At Reefton ho had a lively meeting, .and at the conclusion he was asked a number of questions which hp did not answer satisfactorily. The interrogators had still more that they wished to know, but the chairman closed the meeting on the ground that the hour was late. The meeting of Greymouth waterside workers that Mr Holland addressed was attended by on!" about one-fourth of tho men. . The majority of the Union, being strong conscriptionists, declined to attend.

Mr Coates is at present in the Reefton district, and is receiving an enthusiastic reception. Interviewed by a Christchurch "Press" reporter, Mr R. Wilson, of Reefton, said that the Reefton district would givo a very strong vote in support of Mr Coates. The reason for this was apparent.- Tho district was heartily tired of tho misrepresentation of its representative during the past three years. Reefton was solidly patriotic and loyal—it was not "Red Fed," and never could be. Its industrial backbone was composed of the finest elements in our national life. To the causo of thiß war it had given Lieut.Colonel Winter Evans, and many other good soldiers, and it would not be disloyal to its own boys.

It is understood that Mr Coates will give his first public address at Barrytown on Saturday. It is believed that Mr Holland will not command anything like the solid miners' votes that went to Private P. C. Webb. The recent trouble over the levy and dissatisfaction regarding Union meters have caused a breach that is rapidly widening. The fact that Mr Holland is not a miner will also alienate those who consider that a successor to Private Webb could easilv have been found in their own class. Strong endeavours are being made to restore unity, but the actual results will not be known until the poll is declared. In the meantime it ma" be said that the conscriptionists are wonderfully confident.