THE OAMARU ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18380, 21 April 1923, Page 10

THE OAMARU ELECTION.

CAMPAIGN BY THE PREMIER.

SURPLUS OF £1,250,000.

DEFINITE FIGURES TO-DAY.

[Bt TELEGRAPH. — own correspondent.] HAMPDEN. Friday.

The Prime, Minister and the Hon. E. P. Lee were favoured with another day of perfect weather for their campaigning in connection with the Oamaru election. They addressed a meeting at Waianakurua in vhe afternoon. Mr. Leo spoke only very briefly, referring t» the election petition.

Mrf Massey said that at the last brief session Parliament had got into a stupid and humiliating position, and it was not in the best interests of the country that the Govenmrent should be asked to carry on with a majority of only three. The three-party system was a curse to any country. Referring to the financial position, he said he hoped to be able to announce the surplus to-morrow. His own opinion was that there would be a balance of £1,250,000 of revenue over expenditure. There was not one of the other Dominions financially so well off as New Zealand was. A vote of thanks and of confidence in the Government and in Mr. Lee was carried.

The picturesque fishing village of Port Moeraki was reached at 4.30. Here, as everywhere else, the visit attracted a great deal of attention, and a largo number of residents had assembled. As no large meeting place was available, Mr. Massey and. Mr. Lee spoke in a natural amphitheatre in the open-air. An amusing incident occurred when a fisherman smoking placidly on the.grassy bank began to back the Liberal Government against the Massey Government. Mr. Massey crossed over and shook hands and then devoted five minutes to making an individual convert. "You might convince me but you'll never, convert me," was the fisherman's closing ultimatum. The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks.

FUSILLADE OF QUESTIONS. PETITION ISSUE AGAIN. CONFIDENCE OF. HAMPDEN [BY. TELEGRAPH.—OWN COWIESPONDENT.] HAMPDEN. Friday. The hall at Hampden was crowded tonight with residents anxious to hear the Prime Minister and the Hon. E. P. Lee. Mr. Lee did not enter to any extent on general political questions, nut confined himself to justifying his attitude and actions in connection with the election petition. The audience indicated its strong agreement with the statement that if anyone had a grievance in this matter it was the speaker. Mi*. Massey, who had a flattering reception, said that when Parliament reassembled, he was going, to v ask it to reduce taxation by at least £2,000,000. "That is where we get to loggerheads" ,he continued, "with many men in Parliament like Mr. Holland, who say we are only reducing taxation on the big man." He gave reasons for his conviction that there would not be any such unemployment this next winter as there was last. When New Zealand next went to Britain for a loan for public works he would guarantee that we would get that money cheaper than any other country in the British Empire could. ;'•' ■ ■' : Throughout the addresses both speakers had a perfect hearing, and there had not' been a trace of opposition or dissent manifested. The interval for -questions, however, made plain that the opposition was there. An ex-sergeant of police from Dunecm, speaking nnder evident restraint, was the first to take advantage of question time. He was' evidently desirous of cross-exam-ining Mr. Lee about his case. Every latitude and courtesy were accorded to the questioner, and eventually the incident was closed by the chairman saying, "You sit down. We've had enough." Several lengthy questions alleging extravagance in the Government purchase and handling of war material were satisfactorily answered. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried, on the "voices, only, two " noes " being heard. " The ' noes,' " remarked Mr. Massey, " are like the still small voice of conscience." (Laughter.)