POLITICAL FIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18347, 13 March 1923, Page 8

POLITICAL FIGHT.

CONTEST FOR* TAURANGA. MR. MACMILLAN'S CAMPAIGN "A MAN OF WEIGHT." RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE. [BT' TBLSGBAPH.—SPECIAL BSVOBTEB.] TAURANGA. Monday. Interest in th 9 Tauranga by-election contest quickens rapidly throughout the electorate It, is keenest so far in the Tauranga borough, the electoral headquarters of the district where to-night the contest was opened in earnest by Mr. C E. Macmillan, the official Reform candidate, who wa* admirably supported ly the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister for Public Works and Postmaster General. Over 500 electors were present in. the Town Hall, the Mayor, Mr. B. Dive, presiding. The candidate was given a ™»* n «|; enraging reception. He M man « < eight," this being as true «i to physique as it it to his solidity of character and opinion. "I am a plain simple man, he said, "who looks on facto as I find them, and that is my policy * {taee»mnaira." Mr. Macmillan is still on the right ride of 50, and has been 42 years in the district, and has a host of personal friends. He 'was greeted with sustained applause, and spoke for an hour on the lines of his opening address at Manawaru x the district where the late Sir William Herries had his home for many years. Hot an Ordinary Election. There was one point upon which he was most emphatic. This, he declared, was not an ordinary by-dection; not merely » question of selecting a 5*" 1 *; mentary representative for the district, It " was virtually to decide whether the Massey Government was to control New Zealand for the nest three years. At the December election, he pointed out, Tauranga electors had made it very clear that they desired that their representative should be a support* of the Massey Government. Personally, he saw no reason why the Maasev Government should not retain control for the full Parliamentary term. Its record justified its claim. " I ask the electors," added Mr. Macmillan, " to confirm their December judgment." (Loud and sustained applause.) Government Becord Reviewed. The candidate reviewed in detail the legislative record of the Government, and set it in contrast against the abnormal circumstance* with which it had been confronted for seven years. At the moment of its greatest trial the Liberal members of the National Government had broken away and not only refused to assist the Government in the tasks of post-, war reconstruction, but had actually fought them at every point, and had made their difficulties harder still. He repudiated the party charges that the Government only considered the interests of " the big men." and pointed cut incidentally that it had conserved the interests of the consumer in respect of the control of sugar to the extent of £4,500,000. That was the sum saved to the people of New Zealand as a result of the Massey Government's foresight in the matter of controlling the sugar market. (Applause,) Mr. Macmillan emphasised the fact that the Massey Government had never been a Government of the moment," but had looked ,ah«.d. foreseen difficulties and made adequate provision for them. It was thus entitled to secure the support of the people in order that important matters smb. A3 road and railway construction, and hydro-electric development might be vigorously prosecuted. Mr. h Macmillan speaks clearly, is very earnest, and obviously believes in the plain common-senso of politics. He concluded his speech amid acclamation. Mr. : H. A. Sharp proposed a hearty veto of thanks and confidence, and added: " I have much pleasure in saying that Mr. Macmillan has had a clean record in the public service of this country. He has proved himself a clear-headed business man, who knows the industries which keep this district alive, and I have the greatest ..confidence in recommending him to carry the Reform flag to victory." There was no dissent, and the motion was earned with acclamation. Mr,, Macmillan will address the electors at Morrinsville to-morrow evening. He will speak at Matamata, Waharoa, and Walton on Thursday. Friday, and Saturday evenings respectively, * " EAGER FOR POLITICS." i SIRJ. WARD AT FEILDING. [BY TELEGRAPH.—-PRESS . ASSOCIATION.] _ ff FEILDING, Mondfcy. En route to Tauranga, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward were met at tho Feilding railway station by a large number of Liberals. Lady Ward was presented with " a bouquet. Sir Joseph said his health was now restored, and he was eager to be back in the centre of things. Cheers followed his departure.