OAMARU ELECTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1923, Page 2

OAMARU ELECTION.

fjiv i-hi:ss association. 3 BOTH SIDES CONFIDENT. OAMARU, April JO. The Oamani by-election campaign concluded to-night. Zest was added to lite final gatherings by the participation of Afr AYilford, Leader of the Opposition, who arrived at midday, and, with Air Alacphorson, spoke in the Drill Hall. The Prime Minister, with Air Lee, faced a very large gathering in the Opera House. The Hon. Downie Stewart arrived by the late express this evening and he also participated in the meeting at the Open House. Both sides profess confidence. A very large poll is certain. Over GOO absent voters’ permits have been issued. MR AIACTHERSOX’S MEETING. GREAT ENTHUSIASM. OAAIARU, April 30. Afr Wilford, Lender of the Opposition and Air Maopherson, Liberal candidate addressed a huge audience at tho Drill Hall to-night. The appearance of the spankers was the signal for loud and prolonged applause Air Maopherson, in the course of his speech, referred scathingly to the piesenee of the Premier in the electorate “with his second strongest Minister in his pocket!” He spoke strongly concerning what lie termed the “unfair Press propaganda.” He said the Reform papers had purposely refrained from publishing his speech at the Opera House. He thought an honourable citizen was entitled to a fair hearing. Afr Alacpherson dealt briefly with the election petition, and, in conclusion, he appealed to his audience to vote on the morrow for Liberty, Trill” ;ind Justice and for themselves. His remarks were greeted with loud and prolonged applause. Air Wilford said lie had come to explain why his party had stood out of the. contest. The Government, he said was devoid of horse sense. He referred caustically to the Reform Party. He said it was once called tho National Association, or the “National Ass.” Mr Mcapherson was not a lost sheep from the Liberal fold. He referred to the presence of the Premier in the electorate as “AYilliam and his little lamb's.” Mr AYilford said the Premier had done nothing but electioneering since October, and bad neglected his work in Wellington—at tho people’s ex {reuse. All he (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 conference. He dealt at length with the Reform administration, and ridiculed the Premier’s statement concerning the surplus as shewing the country’s prosperity. He said that when he left the National Cabinet, there was £7,000.009 of surplus, and now there was onlv £3,500,000. Liberalism was not dead, as some said. Far from it. He referred to the fact that everywhere the Premier went last election, the Liberals had gained a victory. He stressed the point that Air Maopherson could have had all the speakers he wanted, if ho chose, but he preferred to fight alone. In conclusion, he appealed to them to return Mr Maopherson, whose knowledge would be a valuable acquisition to the House, and would bo greatly in the interest of the primary producers. The meeting concluded aiqiq scenes Crf profit entlpwfiapi;