ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21037, 23 November 1931, Page 11

ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

COALITION SUPPORT. MR. FORBES CONFIDENT. Ton.' or south island. ENTHUSIASM AT OAMARU. EEPLY TO MB. HOLLAND. [by telegbap.it. —PREPS association.] OAMARTT, Sunday. The Prime Minister, Sir. Forbes, nd'dressed over 1000 electors at the Opera House last evening. The meeting was enthusiastic and there was a total absence of rowdyism. Any interjections were of the good-natured, bantering typo, Mr. Forbes joining in the occasional general laughter. The Mayor, Mr. J. M. Forrester, presided. Mr. Forbes outlined the circumstances leading up to the formation of the Coalition. In answer to tho contentions of the Leader of the Opposition, Sir. Holland, that imported coal was causing distress at the West Coast, Mr. Forbes showed that coal importations had dropped from 313.000 tons in 1925 to 40,000 tons last year. This latter quantity was imported on Mr. Forbes' instructions, in view of the threatened mining trouble on the coast, as a necessary precaution to keep running the huge railway transport sjstem. , In reference to the cut in charwomen's wages, mentioned in addresses by Mr. Holland, Mr. Forbes said that was the alternative to wholesale dismissals. The Government took the iess drastic course. Mr. Forbes surveyed the position of the railways, justified the setting up of - the board, and detailed Mr. H. H. Sterling's position. , The Coalition candidate for Oamaru. Mr. J. A. Macpherson, also spoke. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Mr. Forbes and an expression of confidence in the Coalition. Mr. Forbes addressed several meetings in support of Coalition candidates yesterday, and was at every centre given good receptions. It was apparent that the impression he made on the people with his direct and earnest appeal for support in the hour of the Dominion's stress won for him the firm ajlegiance of his hearers. The prospects of the Coalition candidates in Otago are bright and the demonstration made on Friday against Mr. Forbes at the Dunedin Town Hall is only taken as an indication that his opponents are already smarting under the feeling of, defeat-. Mr. Forbes expressed regret that the people o£ Dunedin were prevented from hearing his reply to Mr. Holland's claims, but he is convinced that Dunedin's; opinion of the noisy meeting will bei expressed on election day in the return; *of a solid body of Coalition candidates.! The Prime Minister will speak at! Christchurch to-morrow night, and at| Lrestofi arid Ashburton on Tuesday. Ho-' will leave for the North Island by ferry Bteamer oh Tuesday night.

IMPASSE IN OAMARU. COALITION VOTE SPLIT. SITTER FIGHT IN PROGRESS. OAMARU, Sunday. After the address by the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, last evening, a deputation of leading Reformers, led by Mr. Fra,nk Milner, rector of the TVaitaki Boys' High School, waited on him, assuring him of their loyal support of the Coalition candidate, Mr. J. A. Macpherson. The move was totally unexpected as the chairman and most of the executive of the local branch of the Reform Party, as well as the Hon. E. P. Lee, are supporting the candidature of Mr: J. Kirkness, Reform Coalitionist.

Oamaru, which for 20 years has been the scene of peaceful political contests, is now in the throes of a bitter fight, the lists for which include Mr. P. Malthus, the first Labour candidate to contest the seat. The electorate is most conservative and one in which Labour's chances are thought to bo forlorn, but the serious split now in the moderate ranks is enhancing considerably Labour's chances. MR. HARRIS HECKLED, MEETING AT CHELTENHAM. The Coalition candidate for Waitemata, Mr. A. Harris, addressed a crowded meeting at the Cheltenham beach kiosk on Saturday. evening. Mr. A. E. Glover, a former member of Parliament for Auckland Central, presided. Throughout his speech, which was along the lines of earlier addresses, the candidate was subjected to considerable heckling, the meeting developing into a duel between the candidate and a few hostile members of the audience. At the conclusion of the meeting, however, Mr. Hai ris was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

TAURANGA CAMPAIGN. CANDIDATES' ACTIVITIES. [from our own correspondent. ] TAUIIANGA, Saturday. The three candidates for the Taurnnga electorate have been busy in various parts of the district during the past week. The official Coalition candidate Mr. C. E. Maemillan, the sitting member, opened his campaign at Oropi, near Tauranga, last week-end, and has since addressed meetings at- Te Aroha, Katikati, Athenree, and Te Puke. He is meeting with strong encouragement and endorsement of his political views. Sir. Maemillan addressed a meeting at Tauranga last, evening and was given a Very attentive hearing. He submitted an account of Ins stewardship as Parliamentary representative and gave reasons for the formation of the Coalition Cabinet. At the conclusion Mr. Maemillan was accorded a vote of thanks for his address and continued confidence in him as Parliamentary representative. _ Mr. W. Sullivan, the Independent Coalition candidate, has addressed meetings on the Eangitaiki Plains, at Manawahe, M atata and the eastern and western portions of Tauranga County. Mr. F. Co'lbeck, the Country Party representative, has been campaigning assiduously. He will spend next week in the Tauranga and Katikati districts.