OAMARU BY-ELECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2568, 17 April 1923, Page 3

OAMARU BY-ELECTION.

PARTY LEADERS PARTICIPATING.

Wellington, Last Night

“Now tlml the Prime Alinister lias gone to the electorate, I expect Air Ahicphcrson will request help, and 1 can assure the Liberals of Oamaru it will lie cheerfully and readily given,” stated All- Wilford, Leader of 1 lit* Liberal-Labour Party 10-niglil, in referring to the Oamaru election. AL’ Wilford said Air Alacplierson had written In him saying ho and a committee intended to light the election without outside interference, and that they had reason for believing the Reform candidate would bo allowed to fight alone, as lie bad been described by (.lie Reformers as the second strongest man in the Reform Alinistrv. Air Wilford, however, had warned Air Macpherson to prepare for a Reform invasion of his constituency and had informed him that be (Air Wilford) would see he got all the assistance lie required if an invasion took place, and lie desired that assistance.

Ah; Wilford added that Reform had no intention of: chancing a retrial of strength without interfering as Mr Lee was absolutely unable lo light alone, and would need all the help available. PR EAITEK AT PAI A!E R ETON SOUTH. Dunedin Last, Night. The Prime Minister arrived at Palmerston South to-night where he will deliver an address to-morrow night. In reply lo questions by a reporter. lie said the public accounts for the year ended ATarch 31, would disclose a highly staisfactorv state of affairs, but the actual figures would not be available for a day or two.

The roll tor the Oaraiaru by-elec-lion dosed on Saturday, over 10,000’ new enrolments having been made. Of these, <|iiite (500 are new names of electors coming of age and new arrivals in the district. The contest will be confined to the two candidates —Hon. E. P. Lee (Reform) and Mr-. 1. A. McPherson (Liberal-Labour). Neither candidate has spoken yet, but the campaign will open in real earnest on Tuesday night the Prime Minister being announced to speak at Palmerston.