MACPHERSON WINS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17030, 2 May 1923, Page 7

MACPHERSON WINS.

LIBERAL VICTORY AT OAMARU. AN ENHANCED MAJORITY. •YPer Press Association a OAMARU, May 1. The by-election for Oamaru, rendered necessary by the decision of the Election Petitions Committee, which un-

seated Mr J. A. Macpherson, who was returned in December, was held to day, and resulted ; J. A. Alacpherson, Liberal . 4352 E. P. Lee, Reform . . 4012 Majority for Macpherson . 340 Permits were issued to 342 absent voters. Of these, 262 recorded votes. At the December election. 258 absent voters’ permits were issued. A comparison of the December figures with last light’s figures was as follows: MACPHERSON . 4867 4352 EEE ... 4053 4012 Macpherson’s majority . . 14 340

FINAL SCENES.

(Special to the “ Star.”) OAMARU, May 1. The conclusion of the election campaign was marked by scenes ol marvellous enthusiasm. Shortly after seven o’clock between 4000 and 5000 people assembled before the “ Oamaru Mail result board, and when the first result, that from Port Moeraki. came to hand, giving Air Alacpherson sixty-two against. Mr Lee s lour, the vast crowd broke into cheering. Spasmodic outbursts if cheering rent the air during the progress of the results, culminating in a mighty roar when the finals, giving Mr Macpherson a majority of 340, were posted up. The cheering continued until, a tew minutes later. Mr Alacpherson and Air Y\ ilforrl mounted the steps, when another spontaneous outburst took place. It was some minutes before quietude could be obtained to enable Mr Macpherson to speak. Mr Alacpherson said : *‘ Last night 1 said my tongue was a.s big as Air Alassey’s. (Laughter.) To-night it is bigger than it was last night. It is so big that I cannot find words to express mv satisfaction at the result of this magnificent poll to-night.” He said that that night was an epoch-making occasion in the political history of the Dominion. He himself was not personally overjoyed. A Y'oice : AVe are! Mr Alacpherson, continuing, said that his chief joy was that they had won justice to themselves. The "spirit that permeated the Dominion and the British Empire was still ’treasured in their hearts, am! they still wished to see British fair play. At this stage Mr Lee arrived, and this was the signal for an outburst of hooting and boo-ing. and it was a le v minutes until order was restored. Continuing. Mr Alacpherson said he wished to congratulate the men and women who had given a lead in the political history of New Zealand. He could not express his admiration an 1 appreciation, but it was the result o' the belief that fair play was bonnv play. Afr Alacpherson expressed his thanks to the committee of ladies and all who worked so enthusiastically in the Liberal cause. He had had a great and noble victory. He desired to express bis sympathy to Air Lee, and hoped that he would regard him as a friend in a civil sense It would ill become him to be ungenerous in his hour of victory. He regretted that the Prime Minister was not present. That was the only fly in tho ointment. Mr Massey should be there to stand by his defeated candidate He asked for a civil hearing for Mr Lee. He desired to express his appreciation of the lead given to him right along the line and bo again expressed bis thanks to all supporters of the Liberal Party. Mr Lee was met with applause, alI though not to the same degree of enthusiasm as that given Air Macpherson. He said that 011 previous occasions such as that lie had stood before them in the hour of victory, but those who entered politics must be prepared °r defeat as well as victory. He accepted his defeat in the best of spirits and took the opportunity to thank so many of the people of the district who had supported him for the last eleven years during which he had done liis best to serve their inteiests in Parlia ment. He would retire without remorse and would only express the hope that whatever the administration of the Dominion's affairs it would result 111 the benefit of the Dominion as a whole. He thanked the huge audience for their most polite hearing, which was marvellous considering the thousands who bad assembled. “ I thank you one and all.” said Mr Lee, “ both supporters of myself and m\ opponent, and I wish vou good-bye.” Another wonderful reception was accorded Air Wilford when he came for ward to speak. He said with reference to Air Massey's departure that afternoon that a few weeks ago he stood on the platform at Tawrang* beside the Prime Minister, as leader ol the party of the defeated candidate, it being one of the cardinal laws of the Liberal creed that as ther were in victory in defeat He had been beside Air Alasscv when speaking for Air Macmillan. A voice: Alacpherson. Air Wilford : “ I’m talking of Mai - millan. What time did you wake up? ” At tlie defeat of Sir Joseph Ward be was the first to go to the Prime Minister’s hotel and congratu-

late him on his (Mi Wilford’s) position as leader of the Liberal Party. This was the rebirth of Liberalism in New Zealand. If they had just cause i and care they would eventually get i there. Air Macpherson with the nd- : vice of his truly wonderful committee | had decided to fight alone, although the J best speakers of the Liberal Party were ready to be railed on. and even j last Thursday they still advised him j that Mr Alaenhersou was going to fight ; his battle alone. Air Wilford dealt i with the Liberal policy ami what it stood for on the lines of last night’s ad dress, and again thanked the people for their great expression of confidence ; n the Liberals. An inspiring sight followed. as thousands cheered and threw their hats m the air. ATr Macpherson and Air Wilforrt were, carried up the street shoulder high, surrounded by dense mass of people. The following are results of the polling as far a. they were available overnight:—

May 1. 1928. Doc. 7. 1922. Mac- Macpherson. Deo. pherson. Lee. Ardgrowan 82 53 52 55 Awamoko . 57 30 56 27 Dunback . 31 21 32 21 Enfield . 167 120 332 140 Five Forks . 30 65 20 71 Glonpark . 18 15 12 26 Goodwood 3 29 3 26 Goodwood R'lway 34 18 29 24 Hampden . 105 157 120 153 Herbert. . 82 142 68 136 Hilderthorpe . 34 37 40 27 Hillprove . 25 28 20 22 Kakanui N. .86 75 77 53 Kakanni H. 23 12 29 33 Kauru Hill . 31 76 42 74 Kia Ora. . . 13 44 12 42 Maheno . 90 l&q 101 16S Moeraki . 62 4 52 11 Ngapara . 118 34 83 47 Oamaru (six booth 1 ’) 2245 2001 2109 1920 Palmerston 342 992 312 268 Papakaio . 28 95 42 99 Peebles .18 13 35 20 Puke nr i . 168 66 107 66 Sha-sr Point . 67 132 57 36 Totara . 105 125 88 125 Waianakaura . 31 43 27 Jl Waitaki R. . 38 36 35 37 Weston .111 114 77 1-29 Windsor 76 -50 74 58 Totals . 4352 4012 3946 3947