OAMARU ELECTION

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17748, 27 April 1923, Page 13

OAMARU ELECTION

MR MASSEY RETURNS TO FIGHT. MEETINGS IN NORTH OTAGO. (special to "the razss.") OAMARU, April 26. The Anzac Day celebrations brought a temporary lull in t-he Oarnaru . byelection campaign. The Prime Minister, after the meeting he addressed at Windsor on Tuesday night, motored to Timaru and thence on to Christchurch, where, on "Wednesday, he took part in the celebrations. Mr Maasey has had a strenuous time, but he returned to tho fight in Oamaru to-day looking happily fit, and with the Hon. E. P. JLee, resumed Ins tour of the electorate. The programme this afternoon included a visit to the Kakanui School, Mr Massey and party being received with three resonant cheers by the children. In introducing the Prime Minister, Mr J- Gudsell, for the chairman of the committee, said he was glad Mr Massey had had time in his busy life to call in. The children would appreciate his thoughtfulness in doing so and look upon the visit as unique in the school'B history. Addressing the children, Mr Massey expressed his pleasure at seeing sucn a fine gathering of healthy youfig New Zealanders. The children sang the National Anthem, which caused Mr Massey to congratulate them on their singing, and to say how pleased he was that the National Anthem was included in the welcome extended to him.

Subsequently the Prime Minister and Mr Lee addressed a meeting in the Kakanui Public Hall. There was a large attendance. Mr Robert Elder occupied the chair, and made eulogistic references to the services to the country of Mr Massey, and to Mr Lee as momber for Che district. In referring to Mr Massey, Mr Eldor said that when Mr Massey took office the country was sweltering with strikes, and he had had a hard time in straightening things out. He had done it. Then when the slump came it was Mr Massey's energy, sound financial ability, and foresight that had enabled the country to make a marvellous recovery. (Applause.) He spoke as a man of 40 or 50 years' experience in this country, and was able to say that sinoe Mr Massey had been in office things had been better, and he was pleased to congratulate him. (Applause.) In his address, Mr Lee, who spoke while the Prime Minister was visiting tho Kakanui School, dealt fully with matters' which caused the by-election, and said that it was wrong for those supporting his opponent to say that he (Mr Lee) had sought for a fresh election. (Applause.) sHe had done no such thing. It was his opponent that had asked for another election.

Mr Massey then addressed the audience. He was received with loud and prolonged applause. He stressed the importance of the Oamaru election to the people of the Dominion. Tho big issue was whether the Government was to be strengthened. Owing io a number of causes, principally vote-splitting, the Government did not get tne support at last election which it expected from certain districts, notably Pa tea, Waikato, Manakau, Napier, and Wellington East, though it received 73,000 more votes than in the election of three years ago. The position to-day was tliab though the Government was the dominant party in the House, it had only a majority of three, -which was not sufficient to enable the legislation of the country to go through smoothly. The three-party systen. in the House made the position moro difficult. There was a dang'erouf party in thi House of Revolutionary Socialists, eager to turn the Government out, to put the Opposition in, and to dictate to that party what it should do and should not do. D'id the people of Oamaru want to see the country's affairs placed in such a position? He felt convinced that they did not, and he was sure of what the result of the election would be on Tuesday. (Appiause.) Mr Massey went on to refer to the financial position, and very many other matters, which he explained in detail as previously published. The country had now got ''round the corner," and the situation to-day was one in which the people shoidd congratulate themselves. Mr Massey's speech was long and interesting, and the people of Kakanui, many of whom had not before had an opportunity of hearing the Prime Minister speak; regretted when he resumed his seat. Mr John Maffey, in moving a hearty vote of thanks to the Prime Minister and Mr Lee for their addresses and continued confidence in the Massey Administration, said the political situation had been very plainly put. They all knew they were living, in days when they were threatened by political revolution, following the aftermath of the war, and the people of Oamaru had an opportunity of staving off that revolution by giving the Government a majority that would enable it to carry on for the next three years. The Government had proved its worth in the difficult days of the past few years, and Mr Massey should be given a clinnce to carry on. They were all I iberais, and the time had gone by when they could talk of Tories in this country. '

» The motion, which was seconded by Mr J. Lanrenson, was carried unanimously. Hearty cheer;; for the Prime ' Minister and Mr Lee concluded an en- * thusiastic meeting. 3 LIBERAL ASSOCIATION | RESOLUTION. P ' (press association telegram.) ; DTJNEDIN, April 26. At a special meeting of the Dunedin Liberal Association to-niglit, the following resolution was carried: "That the Duned'in Liberal Association wishes Mr J. A Macpherson every success in his appeal for justice at the hands of the electors of Oamaru. It trusts tiiat . the electors will recognise the merits of , his appeal and will declare for nonj Ministerial interference with the free- ; dom of the electors and against making, j during an election, a campaign of Gov- ! eminent- promises to expend public | money."

An enthusiastic meeting in connexion with the forthcoming Clandeboye Carnival, on May 3rd, was held recently. The various sub-committees I reported good progress in their allotted ; tasks, and it was stated that all that | was needed was a fine day to ensure j The proposed programme was j fully discussed, and a list of twentytwo events was finally approved. The canvassers reported that they had met with a most gratifying response. Tho business people of Ternuka, especially, had been most liberal in their support. | The Entertainment Committee Reported that tliev had arranged for a plain and fancy 'dress ball in the evening, and had engaged Mr Johnson's orches- ■ tra. A motor lorry would ply between Ternuka and Clandeboye on tho afternoon of the carnival.