OAMARU SEAT.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1923, Page 4

OAMARU SEAT.

.MU MACPHERSON MAKES STATEMENT. VINDICATES HIS COMMITTEE. WELLINGTON. .Inly 3. Further references to recent happening in connection with tlio Oanuim fitrolnii'iit claims which the Registrar admits having do.icoved were heard in the House of Representatives early this morning. when Mr ,1. A. Maepheison (Oanimn) declared that the Prime .Minister had made some contemptible insinuations. Mr Massey asked Mr Speaker il these words were in order and Mi 1 Maopherson withdrew his references to the eon tern ptihie insinua t ions.

He went on to suggest that the Prime ?Minister's statement was unwarranted and was not a clear indication of the position. The insinuation was that there were 1100 voters put on the supplementary roll and that lie. or someone on his behalf, allowed people In yet en the roll who were not entitled to vote. There was no foundation for ihis suggestion. There were actually 1003 now names on the supplementary roll for the by-election and lie found that no fewer than 887 were those of persons struck off the main roll been use they had not voted in December or for some other reason. Ibis left ISO new electors, ill) per cent <•! whom had attained the aye of twentyone. The balance of ten per cent were accounted for by these wlm wished to make (lamaru their permanent home. “This.’’ added .Mr Maepherson, “is a different tale from that which the Prime Minister used to cover up His tneks at the by-election.’’ The mistake of the Registrar did not concern him. hut this officer was not allowed to conduct the election, a gentleman of (rreat capability having been brought in. who had conducted the Tauranya election. Mr Maepherson assured the House that his committee took groat precautions not to enrol any hut bona fide electors. A hatch of enrolment claims which 'liny; Registrar considered irregular was sent to him and strange to say, he found among them the names ei some hoys and gills ol -cm. his >1 * , oiigcs.t political opponents who ui'ir not of aye at the time.

lie ken; tlmse forms in his safe until Iho-c which matured could he lodged for enrolment, enabling these electors to vote against him. If there was anything done it was done on the other side and he Imped that the fullest inquiry would he Me.de and lie fell sure that. Hie people of Oaniaru who did him the honour to send him as their representative would come out seuh-le-s. The officer who destroyed the enn linent papers had nothing ta do v l'i llie conduct of ihe election, the whole pro:',.-(''lings being moved from his office lo the Magistrate's Court, whole it was conducted hv a special officer, who was exceedingly competent and courteous. He Wits pinlid to say that this officer did not return him one single enrolment claim as ineligible.