OAMARU ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1923, Page 3

OAMARU ELECTION.

SOME SIDELIGHTS. fEytteltcm Times Correspondent) O A.M ARC, April 19. The residents of North Otago are singularly fortunate in having in their midst the Prime Minister. During his stay in Palmerston, Mr .Massey made a grant of .£’2oo to the District High School and promised .to go into the matter of erecting a new post office. ft is stated that although the railways are .Cl ,000,000 behind, he promised to secure the reinstatement of tho stationmaster at Dmibaek. who was withdrawn on account of the line not paying—and this in days of economy! At Ids recent meetings Mr Mnephcrson has been pointing Uie.se facts out to tbe c utiiLry residents, and urging them to lay claims before the Prime Ministur who is almost sure to grant them. Mr Massey, he declared, is mn.-t magnaminous. At Palmerston ho promised a reduction of Id a lb on the tea duly. As the import tax was only oil now, housewives would be getting a bonus -oon! Truly a great financier! Tbe sectarian issue is being strongly int rmlm-cd by the supporters of Mr Lee. Recently it was whispered that .Mi Maephersnii. who i< a staunch Presbyterian, had joined the Roman Catlioli" Church, and attended twice daily. Even in the primary schools is the question making itself apparent. Several children were asked by their parents to ask Mr Mnenhcrson’s children if it was true that their father g.it a cable from tbe Pope wishing him every success and inviting Mr Mac-plu-rson to Rome for a holiday when the elect ion i- ovet. Several other fabrications of a similar nature arc being circulated by -••r l.ee’s friends, wlm are ii-ing every pnssibh- means t,, damage Mr Mncphersoii’s reputation. In several eases the-e stories have I,ecu traced hack to th.eir originators, and a warning lias h-i- il issued through the newspapers that the person- responsible will be dealt wiili sei-iiius.lv if they (To not do si-1. There are many indications that Air l.er-’s side feels badly pressed and does not intend to be over-sentpnl--ill fighting .Nfr Maephcrson. Mr Let-, aided by Air Ala.-scy. lias been devoting Ids time to the centres and AL I). Stark on tbe country meetings to-night. So far. .Mr I.me-t

!I! Li. ~ I ::l hi on and hing I >lll II n;i liinuui-, :i;!>! the lii~i really tmi.-y poliiic;d iiKeting in < *: 1111 :iru look place last night. Mi- Ml. :-'mii is d.iinu; the country (li-Lii.'ts lirst, mid i> media;. 1 . with all • busin -t ic !••■<•<>!>t in. Last night lie |ii- ;ti-sl .-i| viii<irimisly icgiirding lhslL time allowed tor the campaigning. 1" tin- district is large anil would i’<•• titiro si', or eight weeks to cover I hrl'ollghly. Until parti--s an- limbing sir>-miotis-ly. and feeling is runuiie.; high. The Reformers are trying to entice the Liberal leader here' but Mr .Macpherson is living tip to bis title. Kiglitiny Mae,” in lighting tin- election singlehanded.