THE GREY FIGHT

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 July 1913, Page 5

THE GREY FIGHT

ISSUES FOR THE SECOND BALLOT

(Our Parliamentary Reporter)

WELLINGTON, This Day

Discussing the result of the first ballot in the Grey by-election, the New Zealand Times states;—The Democratic vote, it will be observed, lias been divided almost equally between Mr. Webb and Mr. Hannan. Together they pulled nearly double the votes recorded by Mr. Michel. This is a, suffi-

cieut answer to the arrogant boast of Mr. Massey that SO per cent, of the people were in favour of his party and its administration. The “Reform” candidate, though his party is in the political ascendancy, received very little more than one-third of the vote, notwithstanding the powerful influence;-; that were at work to secure his return. It will be interesting now to watch the, final issue of this contest. If the Liberal party is satisfied to give its aid to the Labour Socialist for the advancement of the democratic movement. the result is certain to be a win for Mr, Webb. The prospects of the Hannan supporters being diverted to Mr. Webb's side are prejudiced to some extent by the extreme Socialistic tendency of the Federation of Labour, of which Mr. Webb is President, but this is nevertheless merely a bogey, though some effective electioneering use of it inav nevertheless be made by the Tory Party. There is now a plain issue before the people of Greymouth. Mr. Michel stands for the Government and Mr. Webb for the' Opposition. If the Liberals are content to approve of the continued reign of' Uio party of wealth monopoly and vested interest they will naturally give their vot ’s to Mr. Michel. If, on the other hand, they desire a return to the democratic system of Government of the people by the, people for the people, they must accept the situation. subordinate their disappointed feelings to the uond of the party and vote for Mr. Webb.