OAMARU ELECTION

Evening Star, Issue 18252, 17 April 1923, Page 7

OAMARU ELECTION

MR WILFORD OFFERS HELP.

REFORM’S INVASION,

“ Now that the Prime Minister has gone to the electorate, I expect Mr Macpherson will request help, and I can assure the Liberals in Oaniaru that it will be cheerfully and readily given,” stated Mr VVilford, leader of the Liberal-Labor Party last evening when referring to the Oamaru electorate.

Mr Wilford said that Mr Macpherson had written him saying he and his committee intended to fight the election without outside interference, and that they had reason for believing that the Reform candidate would be allowed to fight alone, as he had been described by the Reform Party as the second strongest man in the Reform Ministry. He (Mr Wilford), however, had warned Mr Macpherson to prepare for a Reform invasion of the constituency, and informed, him that he (Mr Wilford) would see that he_ got all the assistance he required if the invasion took place and he desired assistance. It was evident, added Mr Wilford, that Reform had no intention of chancing a trip! of strength without outside interference, as Mr Lee was absolutely unable to fight the election alone, and would need all the help available.”