THE GREY SEAT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15825, 25 July 1913, Page 6

THE GREY SEAT.

MR WEBB ELECTED,

SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY. (Peb United Press Association.) GREYMOUTH, July 24. _ Tlio following i 6 the result of tho voting in tho Grey by-election P. C. WEBB 3354 H. L. Michel 2719 Majority for Mr Webb ... 635 Tho returns from Atarua, Moonlight, "anoe Creek, Hukawai, Stite Mine Extension, and Bin Site havo yet to oomo to hand, but they cannot alter the result. Tho following tablo 6hows tho number of votes recorded in favour of each candidate: WEBB. MicheL Greymouth— Courthouse 132 ... 240 Town Hall 417 ... 623 High School 99 ... 384 St. Oohkmba Hall 488 ... 49 County Chambers ... 70 ... 47 Hospital ' 48 ... 155 Reefton— Lower Broadway 110 ... 113 County Chambers 234 ... 246 School 63 ... 76 Railway Station 32 ... 49 Borrytown 39 ... 8 Big River 38 ... 13 Blackball 406 ... 75 Blackrvuter 59 ... 14 Blakctown 45 ... 92 Cobden 204 ... 205 Dunollie ... 127 ... 51 Giobo Hill 44 ... 19 Hinau 19 ... 8 Ikamatua ( 55 ... 44 'Mawheraiti 4 ... 7 Merrijigs ' 6 ... 18 Rowanui i ... 21 ... 0 Rapahoo 14 ... 9 Roa 47 ... 15 Ruwinga 425 ... 41 Taylorville 84 ... 99 Waitahu 28 ... 19 Tho completo result of. the poll at the first billot was; —H. L. Michel, 2189; P. C. Webb, 2091; M. Hannan, 2039,.

A HEAVY POLL. RED AND GREEN ALLIANCE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) GREYMOUTH, July 24. _ The bitterness created and the enormous interest raised caused a big poll today. As -the day wore on it became manifest that tho combined vote of the Socialists and tho Hannanites would boat tie Reformer, who fought a gallant battlo against great odds. The deciding factor, however, appeans to be tho Roman Catholio vote, which went solidly to Mr Webb. The Red and Green fusion was so complete as to account almost solely for the state of tho poll.

CANDIDATES' SPEECHES. When the results were known to such an extent that no possible change oould be made in lho result Mr Webb spoke from an upper window of the Star otfice. Ho was recoived with ringing cheers, which continued for some minutes before he oould mako himself heaid'. He said he wished to take tlio opportunity of thanking the electors of Grey for placing liim at the head of tho poll. He sincerely hoped that. ho would prove worthy of tho confidence of the electors.—(Cheere.) Ho thought ho could safely say that, so far as his party was concerned, the fight had been a clean and honest fight.—(Cheers.) From firet to last his objeot would bo to bo true to the principles of the party that sent him to represent it. He was extremely delighted that the banner of democracy had been hoisted high on tho hilis of Grey.— (Cheera) He .must say that the great political victory wou:d be looked to from all partem of New Zealand and Australia that night and the following morning with a great deal of pleasure.—(Cheers.) The people of New Zealand fully rccogniscd the tact that it was a fight and a protest against tho present Government.—(Cheers.) Further, tho people of New Zea'and must reoognise tho fact that the working people had recognised the necessity of closer organisation on their part. Throughout the contest ho had stuok strictly to the programme he had set out to maintain.— (Choers.) The policy of his party was the linest and mast progressive one ever sub-

mittedi' to the people of New Zealand. He had refrained from using the name of Mr Hannan, and had not given that gentleman the credit he deserved. If he had done so there would have been hundreds saying that " Paddy" Webb was trying to catch Mr Haiinau's votes. Ho was pleased to say that not one of Mr Hannan's supporters had asked him (the speaker) to deviatefrom the policy that was so dear to his heart.—(Cheers.) Most of Mr Hannan's supporters did not absolute!}' ajreo with Ilia (the speaker's) policy, but they preferred to give their support to a progressive policy rather than a policy of reaction. —(Cheers.) It was his privilege now to speak most freely, and he could eay that ho had nover had the pleasure of contesting' a seat with such an honourable and straightforward opponent 36 Mr Hannan.— (Cheers.) Mr Hannan had made no rash promises that ho could not fulfil. He had never gone round begging for votf6.— (Cheers.) He hoped 6incerely that whatever differences ho and Mr Hannan had in politics, they would always remain friends, as they were now,—(Cheers.) Their' opposition to each other was merely a matter of policy, and next election in all probability Mr Hannan and he would light out tho seat. He was certain that it would

be a good clean fight, and that no personal or dirty work would be allowed, which ever was victorious.—(Cheers.) They would at least be friends all through tho piece,— (Applause.) He was not going to refer to his opponent (Mr Michel) or Mr D. Jonos, for the simplo reason that the electors had already done j bo—(cheers).—and there was no necessity ior his doing so. In conclusion, he would say that he sincerely hoped the electors of Greymoutu would bear in mind the fact that tho pamphlets and leaflets scattered about by Mr Michel's party had gone a long way to gain him (Mr Webb) support.—(Cheers.) He

would now have the pleasure of going to Parliament and carrying with him a mccsago from tho democracy of Grey, and' that message was that between the present party in power and the electors of Grey there was nothing in common.—(Cheers.) It behoved the people of New Zealand to follow the example set them by the electors of Grey.—(Cheers.) The forces ot reaction must be driven back and progress bo the order of tho day.—(Cheers.) He wished onco more to thank the people of Grey, and particularly Mr Hannan's supporters, for acting for him in such a fashion.— (Cheers,) Not one of the latter had over asked him to deviato from the policy he stood upon.—(Cheers.) Ho hoped that the pooplo of Grey _ who had selected him as their representative would all keep collected, and that no man or woman would act in ft disorderly fashion.—(Cheers.) Let them remember that it would suit 'some of their opponents if tho people did conduct themselves in a. rowdy fashion. Let the Reform Party see that there was no need, to insure their windows.—(Cheers.) He wished'to say in conclusion that Mr Michel was not going to speak from that window that night, but Mr I-lannan would have a few words to say.—(Cheers.) He wished once more to thank them, and he would promise to do his beat by the people who had sent him to' Parliament. If he proved unworthy he trusted that they would have, no hesitation in rejecting liim at the next, election. -He would do his best, and he. "would never indulge in personalities, which had been'so common during tho' past few weeks.(Checre). Mr Hannan was received with loud cheers Ho said that when ho Btood before them a week ago ho had said that ho would work against any Reform candidate. Ho tell them that ho was quite as pleased that

night as if he had been elected himself. He should have liked a Liberal to be returned, and probubly if he had got a place in the second ballot with either of the two other gentlemen lie woukl have had a fair chance.—(Cheers.) He did not like to say it last week, but he was certain that ho did not got a chance from tho Reform party. Strong inducements had been .brought to get him to go with the Reform party, but lie had refused—(Cheers.) Ho thanked those who had voted for him at the first election, and he was pleased to see that two-thirds of his supporters had now voted for Mr Webb.—(Cheers.) He was extremely plcasod that when he did not get them himsolf they went to Mr Webb.— (Cheors.) He had made up his mind to deal it back to those who had been guilty, and now ho ha<d done it.—(Cheers.) That night it hail been said that there would lie a riot, but there was not, and ho waa satisfied that they would bo ablo to show tho Reform party that they could win an election and not'break windows.—(Cheers,) Mr Hannan then called for three cheers for Mr Wobb, which were given with a will. Mr Webb then oalled for three cheers for Mr Hannan, which were also heartily rospondod to. From Rovington's Hotel balcony Mr Michel thanked the pooplo who had voted for him. He declined to speak from the Star office, and said tho result was a fine achievement in neutral ground. The foundation of a very solid Reform party had been bid in Grey, and it would swell to a

majority. Considering tlio forces brought against them it waa a marvellous, result, and he was sure that the Prime Minister would be grateful to the moil and women who had supported a cloaji, progressive, liberal, and humanitarian Administration. Tlio Reform party would keenly contest tho seat at next election. He hoped that any bitterness that might be folt at his dofcat would be dropped and that all feeling should die down.

Mr Jones, in returning thanks, referred to Mr Michel as ono of Now Zealand's noblest gentlemen, and regrottcd that Parliament had not secured his services.

Dr M'Kay (chairman of Mr Michel's committee) also spoke, and echood Mr Michel's statement that the foundations of tho Reform party in Grey had been well laid. MR MASSEY'S CONSOLATION. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE. ' (From Our Own Correspondent.) „ , . WELLINGTON, July 24. On being asked to-night whether ho had any comment to offer regarding the result °f the Grey election, the Prime Minister (Mr MasseyJ 6aid: "It goes without saying, of course, that I should have liked to see Mr Michel returned, but our consolation is that if a Government candidate can poll nearly 3000 votes in an electorate where we have not had a candidate for 20 years I think we can secure two-thirds of the electorates when the proper time comes for testing the question." The following telegram wa6 6ent by the Prime Minister to Mr Michel after tlhe result of the poll w,as received:—" It is not in mortal to command success, but you have done more, you have deserved it. You have put up a great fight against overwhelming odds, and the country will never forget : t,"

Tho .following message was received by Mr Massey fiom tho Westland Reform League:—"We have fought a good fight, but victory has been deferred. Tho 'unnatural alliance which brought defeat will open the eyes of the people of this dominion."

TWO INDEPENDENT VIEWS.

A NATIONAL DISASTER. (Fbou Our Own Correspondent.) "WELLINGTON, July 24. Two viows' which were expressed this evening by Independent members of the House are worth quoting. Ono of these members, who usually votes with the Government, ea'd in reference to the alliance between the Opposition and the Federation of Labour; "It is the best thing that could have happened; it puts us on-side." The other member, who generally vote 6 with the Opposition, on being asked what he thought of the result of the election, remarked: "From a Liberal point of view it is a national disaster."

OPPOSITION JUMLANT. (Fhom Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 24. The result of the election was received with jubilation by the Opposition and Labour members. Tho election was the subject of general comment m Bellamy's and tho lobbies during the supper adjournment, and the remainder of tho evening. Tho members of tho Opposition were entertained by Mrs R. J. Seddon at her residenco -at the supper adjournment in celebration of tho defeat of tlio Reform oandidate. Mr Webb polled approximately 70 per cent, of the votes cast for Mr Hannan, Mr Michel securing 30 per cent. ROWDY MEETING AT REEFTON. U'sa UNiTio I'liK.ss iissuaArio.N.i REEFTON, July 24. There was a rowdy meeting at ilecfton last night, when Mr Michel .and Mr Jones (the Reform organiser) spoke in a hall which was packed to the doors, and many wero unable to gain admittance.

Mr Jones referred to the sectarian issue, whioh had been dragged acroes the trail, and said "Profeesor" Mil!e, - late of the Voice of Labour, but now of the Social Democrat party,- when speaking at Greymouth the day after the first ballot, had introduced religion. (Great uproar.) Mr Jones made an appeal on party lines, and asked for the supporters of Mr Hannan" to vote for a clean, honest party, He asked who wrecked the Liberal party—Mr Payne. (A Voice: "W'lio put Payne in?") Mr Jones: Those who are now extremely sorry {or it, as you will be if you return Webb. . (Uproar and dissent.) _

Mr Jones, amidst dissent interspersed with cheers and great uproar, fiercely attacked the Federation of Labour which, he said, was an octopu6. Tho speaker was frequently interrupted.

Mr Michel also spoke, attacking the Federation, and was cheered and nooted alternately. Cheers for Mr Wobb rang from the back of the hall.

Question time was very exciting. One young man plied the candidate with auesl.ion.s. Mr Michel said the man had followed him everywhere.

After the meeting, in the open Mr Milk addressed a large audience, fiercely attacking Mr Michel.

Tho polling is exceedingly quiet to-day, but excitement is-very high.