FINAL STAGE OF CONTEST

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 101, 30 April 1923, Page 8

FINAL STAGE OF CONTEST

PRIME MINISTER'S INFLUENCE ; CLOSE VOTING EXPECTED. (IT TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL TO TIE POST.) OAMARU, This Day. As polling day approaches, public excitement .over the result of the by-elec-tion is growing in intensity. Both, sides continue* confident, but the general opinion is that the contest will be close, and tHat'the result is doubtful. The reception given to Mr. Macpherson at his meeting in town last night, and the enthusiasm shown plainly indicate that he will .poll, a big majority in Oamaru and the suburbs. In December his majority at the six polling booths covering this area was under 200. On Tuesday it will probably^ be double that number, for Mr. ■Mflssey. has not made many converts, and ■ PS9PIc. fto e^her did not vote at all, because"'they thought Mr. Macpherson had'iio chance owing, to., the late hour at which; he entered the field, aTe now his ardent! and others have changed! over in-his favour. .. A point for discovery is whether the Prime; Minister, who has been working day and-night and making promises freeJy, 1 has ''changed the current of opinion in the country districts. That he has won converts, especially amoijgst farmers, who have no settled political convictions, and who have been caught by they plea for the establishment of a stable. Government, is unquestionable. Bub.it is doubtful if he has won sufficient country votes to counteract the certain, .change in the town.

The result to some extent depends on Palmerßton and the southern end of the electorate. The borough of Palmerston in; December ga.ye.Mr. Macpherson a majority, and will probably do so again, though Mr. Lee's supporters claim that there has been a revulsion of feeling in his favour. The fact that throughout the electorate nearly 1100 names of persons who did not vote in December have been added to the roll Tenders specula; Won asj;to the result, based upon the General figures, unsafe. Those in! the final calculation^ are the electors •who will determine the issue. Both sides claim a majority of these new votes, but both cannot be right. There are always a large number of people who respect the iisllot arid keep their own counsel. Two_ things are apparent: _ Mr. MasBey's intervention and his doing all the real talking have not accomplished their purpose to the extent that was expected. He has gained a good number of votes that Mr. Maopherson got last time, but he has created some feeling of reBentment, while Mr. Macpherson's decision to fight his own battle has won admiration,, and that may mean votes. Mr. WUford passed through here on Saturday on his way South. He expects to be in Oamaru to-day, but it is unlikely that h e will take any active part In 'the election. .. ; ' .