THE OAMARU ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20536, 11 October 1928, Page 6

THE OAMARU ELECTION.

TO THE EDITOB. Sib, —“Must we endure all this?” These words about sum up tbs feelings of many old Liberals in the Oamaru electorate over the determination of the United Party to foist Mr J. A. Macpherson’s candidature on them. We have been told in the press that the United Party is unanimous in supporting this candidate. Mr Wing, ivho is the organiser for the party in Otago, knows only too well from his experiences in this electorate that Mr J. A. Macpherson is not acceptable. In spite of this knowledge he came to Oamaru about two weeks ago for the purpose of calling a meeting at which it was hoped to adopt Mr Macpherson as the candidate. After interviewing several prominent supporters, however, Mr Wing considered “ discretion the bettor part of valour,” and no meeting took place. Mr Atkinson, who, I understand, is a member of the Provincial Executive visited Oamaru last week. It might be more correct to say that be came here on a political fishing expedition. Although he had the hook beautifully baited, he got very few bites. The people are now informed “ that a representative deputation waited on Mr Macpherson and pressed him to contest the seat.” This “ representative ” deputation can be likened to the “ three tailors of Tooley street.” But, Sir, you will be surprised to hear that, in spite of the manoeuvring that is going on locally, the Lfnited Party, at its recent conference in Wellington, selected a candidate to carry its banner in the Oamaru electorate. The gentleman who has had this honour thrust on him is no other than Mr J. A. Macpherson. It is unnecessary to add that the gentleman bearing the party’s imprimatur attended the conference. I would advise the executive of the United Party to keep out of the Oamaru electorate, or it may learn that tlm hobnail boots manufactured at the conference to the order of Mr Davy (late Reform organiser) will not crush the inherent right of the Oamaru electors to select a candidate worthy of representing them in Parliament.—l am, etc.. Old Liberal.