OAMARU ELECTION

Evening Star, Issue 18256, 21 April 1923, Page 13

OAMARU ELECTION

SECTARIAN STORIES DERIDED. MACPHERSON WILL EIGHT ALONE [Special to mit ‘ Star.'] OAMARU, April 20. The sectarian Issue has been Introduced into tho political campaign by some of Mr Lee’s supporters, and several stories (laughable in their absurdity) are in circulation. This lias even extended to tho primary schools, where Mr Macpherson s children have been asked by other children, on behalf of their parents, if it is true that Mr Macpherson received a cable from tho Pope wishing him success, and inviting him to visit Borne upon tho conclusion of tho campaign. It is also freely stated among the Reformers that Mr Macpherson joined tho Catholic Church and attended twice daily. Mr Macpherson gives this an absolute denial, as ho is a staunch Presbyterian. In connection with a letter from Sir John Findlay, used by Mr Lee at tho Onmaru meeting, it is pointed out that no votes were submitted to the court similar, to those in the Campbell v. M‘NaJb case. Any votes of that character were allowed by Mr Macpheraon’s scrutineer. The votes that formed tho basis of tho petition had the whole of Mr Loo’s name (with tho exception of tho capital L) struck out. Regarding these votes the court said that it was clearly indicated that they wore not for Mr Lee, but it would not grant them to Mr Macpherson, an 1 would not declare them Informal, so they are now hanging in tho air. However, under tho Electoral Act a petition must ho forwarded to Parliament by the court, and most likely the whole matter will bo again ventilated. Mr Lee’s petition also referred to Christian names on the voting papers; but this paper was used for tho 1919 election, when Mr Leo was returned, and no objections were lodged by Mr kfaepherson. Reform ia doing everything possible to entice the Liberal leaders to Oamaru, but Mr Macpherson has decided to live up to his reputation of “fighting Mac,” and to fight the Massey-Lee combine singlehanded.