THE BY-ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1923, Page 5

THE BY-ELECTION.

OAMARU CONTEST TO-DAY. FINAL SPEECHES BY LEADERS. HEAVY POLL EXPECTED. The Oamaru by-election takes place to-day. At the general election Mr. J. A. Macpherson (Liberal) beat the Hon. E. P. Loe (Minister of Justice) by 24 votes. At a magisterial inquiry this majority was reduced to 12, and later the Election Court upset the poll, and ordered a new election. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Oamaru, Last Night. The Oamaru by-election campaign concluded to-night. Zest was added to the final gatherings by the participation of Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), who arrived at midday, and with Mr. Macpherson spoke m the Drill Hall. The Prime Minister, with Mr. Lee, faced a very large gathering in the Opera House. The Hon. WDownie Stewart arrived by the late express this evening, and participated in the meeting at the Opera House. Botii sides profess confidence and a venlarge poll is certa/in. Over three hundred absent voters’ permits have been issued.

Mr. Wilford and Mr. Macpherson addressed a huge audience at the l.’rill Hall, and the appearance of the speakers was the signal for loud and prolonged applause, air. Macpherson referred scathingly to the presence of the Premier in the electorate “with his second strongest Minister in his pocket.” He spoke strongly concerning what he termed was unfair Press propaganda, and said Reform papers had purposely refrained from publishing his speech at the Opera House. He thought an honorable citizen, was entitled to a fair hearing. Mr. dealt briefly with the election petition, and in conclusion appealed to his audience to vote on the morrow for liberty, truth and justice, and for themselves.

Mr. Wilford said he bad come to explain why his party stood out of the contest. The Government, ho said, was devoid of horse sense. He referred caustically to the Reform Party, which he said was once called the national asso elation, or the “national ass.” Mr. Macpherson was not as a lost sheep from the Liberal fold. He referred to the presence of the Premier in the electorate as “William with his little lamb.’’ Mr. Wilford said the Premier had don? nothing but electioneering since Octo her, and had neglected his work in Wellington at the people’s expense. All h 3 (the Premier) wanted was a majority to carry on so that he could go for a five months’ trip to the Old Country to attend the Imperial Conference. Mr. Wilford dealt at length with the Reform administration and ridiculed the Premier’s statement concerning the surplus as showing the country’s prosperity. Mr. Wilford said that when he left the National Cabinet there was a €7.000.000 surplus, and now there wa ,J only £3.5'00,000. Liberalism was not dead, as some said, but it was far from it. He referred to the fact that everywhere the Premier went at the la<v; election the Liberals gained a victory. He stressed the point that Mr. Macpherson could have had all the sneakers he wanted if he choose, but he preferred to fight alone. In conclusion he appealed to them to return Mr. Macpherson, whose knowledge would bo a valuable acquisition to the House, and would be greatly in the interest of the primary producers. The meeting concluded amid scenes of great enthusiasm.