PAISLEY BY-ELECTION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 1871, 12 February 1920, Page 7

PAISLEY BY-ELECTION.

FIRING THE LAST SHOTS. By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON. Feb. 9. ' Intense public interest is being displayed in the Paisley by-election campaign. It is generally agreed that the -polling on Thursday wjll result in a' close run between Mr Asquith (Liberal) and Mr Biggar (Labour), although Mr MacKean (Coalition), despite the fact that he is ovjr 70 years old, is putting up a spirited fight. It is believed in some quarters that Mr Bonar Law's letter approving of Mr MacKean is an embarrassment. It is emphasised that he has the support only of the Unionist side of the Coalition. Mr Biggar is confident of winning, ss he has been promised the entire co-operation and the votes of 10,000 Irish electors, but correspondents doubt if they will vote solidly. Al-j though supported by the advanced i Socialists. Mr Biggar is standing on; a Moderate platform. | On the other hand, Mr Asquith's chances have enormously improved, j and he enters the final stages aj strong favourite. It is believed he has largely unified the local Liberal; Party by a remarkable series ofj meetings, attracting record crowds. He has already addressed ."50 meetings. If he is successful at the poll, his speeches will be collected in J book form and he known as "The! Paisley programme: A text book of Liberalism in the future."' All the candidates have arranged strenuous programmes for the last three days of the contest. The total electorate is 39,000. All the candidates are assiduously cultivating the women's sympathies. Mr Asmiith's efforts in this direction are piquant with interest in view of his former lifelong opposition to the enfranchisement of women. BIG PROBLEMS AHEAD. (A. A N.Z.) LONDON, Feb. 9. Lord Robert Cecil, in a letter to Mr Asquith, said he hoped he would he successful, as his services were needed in the House of Commons. International problems were becoming increasingly menacing and complicated, and required the best brains of the country for their solution.