BY-ELECTION CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18381, 23 April 1923, Page 9

BY-ELECTION CONTEST.

■THE OAMARU CAMPAIGN. -'

ME. MASSEY'S MEETINGS.

WARM WELCOMES RECEIVED.

[BY TELEQBAPE. — OWSC; COKHSSPOJODENT.] i OAMABU. Sunday. .Saturday was the first wet day of the Oamara by-electian campaign, but although, wet weather makes travelling over the countryside unpleasant, the welcome showers have delighted the man on the land, and the Prime Minister has been met by large audiences, whose hearts are rejoicing at the breaking of • the dry spell. Drenching showers are still falling The Prime Minister had another busy day. In the morning in the town, after his return from Hampden, Mr. Massey renewed acquaintance with numbers of old friends. Shortly after lunch he visited Pukeuri and met a large meeting of the electors of this district, which includes the freezing works. The hall was filled to overflowing. Mr. A. Lindsay, who presided, referred to what had caused the by-elec- . tion, pointing out that it was not the fault of the candidates, but the electors who had failed to clearly express their intention. He desired, in the presence of the Prime Minister, to acknowledge the loyal way in which the men had stuck to the freezing works in time of difficulty. The Hon. E. P. Leo was given a cordial reception. He said the issue was before the electors. It was not a personal one, but a national one. He explained at some length the contested voting papers and drew pointed attention to the action of his opponent's committee in placarding the committee rooms with specimens of voting papers. He - took the strongest exception to the reflections cast upon his conduct by the chairman of Mr. Macpherson's meeting at Ngapara. He did not mind his methods being criticised, but he would denounce flagrant personalities until those base allegations had been withdrawn. "It is doubtful if there is any other Dominion in the Empire whose financial position has improved so wonderfully as our own," said the Prime Minister, "and in placing its satisfactory financial position befor» the country, "i pay due consideration .to the help the Government has obtained from the people. (Applause.

An Anxious Time. , " I must also recognise the splendid work done by the Treasury officials. ' I have had a particularly anxious time during the last two years, and ladies and gentlemen, you will. I know, feel with me the relief I have obtained from the cheerful statement the Treasury, has ' furnish* d. " At this . stage of the Prime Minister's remarks, word was received in the hall that a well-known resident of Pukeuri, Mr. Thomas Liken, while waiting to attend Mr. Massey's meeting, had' "'died suddenly. _ "I. feel," said Mr. .Massey, " that tliis is not the proper time to talk politics,'* and the meeting, _ after passing a resolution of deep sympathy with the bereaved relatives of "the deceased, adjourned. „./, In. response to numerous requests Mr. Massey promised to try to. fit in another visit to the freezing works town- ■ ship. On the motion of Mr. G. Emerson, a unanimous vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Massey.,. ■, Leaving Pukeuri the Prime Minister Tourneyed across the famous Papakaio | Plain, where is . some. of '■; the ;, finest whjjat-growing land in the Dominion. in ..the evening, the Prime Minister farad a full house, in the Papakaio Hall. Mr. Gardiner presided, and, in asking a fair and impartial hearing for Mr. Massev. ; and Mr. Lee, remarked ■ that . thai was :■ the first occasion on which any - Prime 'Minister had - addressed:, the : people . of Papakaio. *'"' -'■'• '. * * Mr. Lee spoke on the lines of his previous speeches.

Economic Conference. ■'"' lie Prims Minister ", was accorded a very cordial reception and he <: rose to the occasion. The j"good news -heji; had to tell of ;■;" the Dominion's v financial - recovery, pat Mr. Massey in good heart. He dealt at some length with the latest official return in connection with the public accounts and the encouraging evidences of the turn in the tide. He indicated that the Economic Conference should -be followed by ian Imperial Con-: ference and it was desirable, he thought, i that the Prime Minister, if possible, should -represent the Dominion. It was in the interests of stable government that there should be a reasonable-major-ity to enable "this Government to carry out its : policy. , The electors of the Oamaru district . had it in their power to so strengthen the Government that it would be possible to make real progress. ' . :■•;■ ? A unanimous vote of thanks to the . speakere for their addresses, and confidence in Mr. Massey's administration, was carried unanimously.:-,.' V- -:■:>■-'" Subsequently, the Ministerial party was i entertained at supper by "Mr. and Mrs. t Duncan Cameron.' Mr. Massey is spending the week-end at Papakaio and visits Waitaki South and . Awamoko tomorrow.... ■■