STRATFORD BY-ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1920, Page 3

STRATFORD BY-ELECTION.

ABSENT VOTERS' PERMITS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, March 23. Owing to there being some misapprehension as to whether absent voters' permits could be issued for the byelection, Mr. T. Purcell, Registrar of Electors, telegraphed to the Chief Electoral Officer at Wellington for instructions. This morning he received a reply stating that absent voters' per. rnits could be issued- These permits can be !ssue«i for by-elections at any time prior to the date of the poll. In the case of absent voters in the Stratford district who desire voting permits, application should be made to the Registrar, who will arrange to issue permits through the postmaster in the district where the applicant is at the time of Making application. Numerous applications have already been received, and the candidates' committees are in communication with those of their supporters temporarily absent from the district, with a view of informing them of the position. About forty new enrolments were received by the registrar to-day, many coming by post from outside districts, One application was received, very neatly written and with the witnesses' signatures attached, but the applicant had entirely omitted to give his or her name or signature. In this case the application was immediately returned to the.person who had "witnessed" the missing signature! The registrar advises all persons eligible to vote to at once ascertain if they are on the roll, pnd, if not, to send ill their applications without delay. Enrolment forms can be obtained at all post offices. The roll is, however, not likely to be closed for another ten days. Nothing definite has yet been heard as to the date of the election. Both candidates have pencilled the Town Hall for different dates, which they believe to be the night before the election. So far, no applications have been received for the use of the Picture Theatre,'with or without the pictures and music! MR. MASTERS' ACTIVITIES. About eighty friends and supporters of Mr. Robert Masters met last evening and organised themselves into a committee to further his candidature. This afternoon an enthusiastic meetiDg of lady supporters of Mr. Masters was held at which about fifty were present. Mr. Masters will address the electors in the Stanley Road School .to-morrow | (Wednesday) night, and in the Town Hnll, Stratford, on Thursday night, both meetings commencing at 8 p.m. A crowded ami enthusiastic meetim; was held in the Toko Hall to-night, when Mr. Robert Masters opened his campaign. Mr. W. H. Were presided. Mr. Masters emphasised "the deplorable tactics" thai ivere indulged in by some of the Reform Party in trying to find means to upset the last election. One of the petitioners, who was present, said it seemed the audience disapproved of the petition. This remark met with a hostile reception from the audience. At the conclusion of the meeting the following resolution, moved b/ Mr. .T. Kilpatriek, and seconded by Mr. George Harris, was carried: "That this meeting views with disgirst the unsportsmanlike, and deplorable tactics adopted by some of the members of the Reform Party in unseating the member for Stratford, and they have the fullest confidence in his honor and integrity, and will do all in their power to again return him as the member for the district." MR. HINE'S CANDIDATURE. Mr. Hine will open his campaign in the Whangamomona Hall on Thursday evening at 8 o'clock, and will speak at Taliora on Friday at mid-day, Toko on Saturday at 8 p.m., and Town Hall, Stratford, on Monday, at S p.m.