THE BY-ELECTION

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1920, Page 5

THE BY-ELECTION

POLLING.TO-DAY. RECORD VOTE EXPECTED. INTENSE INTEREST DISPLAYED. The Stratford by-election will take place to-day, the, hours of polling being from 9 a.m. till (j p.m. Despite the fact that at by-elections there is usually ft .small poll, it is expected that tliO' vole at Stratford to-day will be a record for o by-election, and will be heavier than was the case at the December election. The number of names on the main and supplementary rolls is 8602, of which 002 have been removed for various reasons, leaving 7840 eligible electers, a considerable advance on the number at the general election. Absent voters permits were issued up to 5 p.m. yesterday, the number being 479 —a record for any by-election in the history of New Zealand. In fact, the whole election is likely to constitute a record, ns it is anticipated that the percentage of electors who will vote will be (higher than'at any general or by-election before. This is due to the remarkable organisation of both parties, who are determined not to miss a single vote. Tho whole electorate has been mapped off into groups, and for many days past canvassers have been at work making Arrangements for bringing electors to the poll. The interest in the election is .intense, but happily, much of the bad feeling which was in evidence early in the campaign lias now disappeared. Both candidates have indulged in a good deal of hard hitting front the platform, but whatever the result may be to-day, tho (lectors and candidates are prepared to accept it, as' the will of the majority. ' It is anticipated that its the poll closes at six o'clock, the first returns will be to hand about seven o'clock, and the final about nine o'clock. • Owing, however, to the very large number of absent voters' permits issued, and the closeness of the contest, it may possibly not be known who is the actual winner until several days after. The by-election will be a clear cut issue between Mr. J. B. Hine (the Government nominee) and Mr. Robert Masters (Liberal-Labor), both of whom faced each other at the general election, when Mr. Masters was declared elected. Early in the year a petition was lodged against Mr. Masters' return, and the Election Court which sat at Stratford in March, unseated him on the ground that lie had committed an illegal act In providing pictures and music at his meeting in the King's Cinema Theatre on December 17, the night before tho general election. The judges in unseating Mr. Masters found that though he had committed an illegal act, he" had clone so unknowingly, and accordingly allowed him to re-contest the scat. All the hotels in the electorate will be closed from noon to-day, also all fliops and offices. It will not Ibe necessary for factories to close during the hours of polling, but employers must afford their employees a reasonable opportunity of voting and no deduction shall be made from the wages, provided the time does not exceed one hour.

Mr. C. H. Burton, Chief Postmaster, lias made complete arrangements whereby holders of absent voters' permits may vote at the New Plymouth Post Office between the hours Of fl a.m. and (i p.m. It is stated that over 100 absent voters' permits have been issued to people in New Plymouth.

THE FINAL SPEECHES. MR. HINE AT THE TOWN HALL. The following reports arc supplied:—The Town Hall, Stratford, was crowded tg the doors last night with an audience of fully 850 electors, Mr. E. Walter (chairman of the Stratford County Council) was in the chair. When introducing the speaker, the .chairman read a telegram from the Prime Minister, which was received with the wildest enthusiasm, reading as follows:—"J. B. Hine, Esq.: On the eve of the contest I send you my best wishes for your success to-morrow. I feel certain thut if you are honored with the confidence of the electors, as I believe will be the case, you will do your best in the interest of all sections of your constituents, and particularly those who require assistance most during this period of reconstruction through which we lire passing. You have done ivell for. Stratford in the past, both in Parliament and in the different theatres of war, and I cannot imagine that Stratford will do anything else but show its appreciation of your fine record. — (Signed), W. F, Massey." Mr- Hine was in excellent fighting form right through to the finish of his meeting, and delivered a statesmanlike speech, embracing the many problems of reconstruction takeil in iiand by the Massey Government, especially stressing the internal development of the resources of the Dominion in the direction of railway construction, hydro-electric-ity, public works, increased production of Mio soil, and increased educational facilities. Mr. Hine emphasised the determination of tlft Government to make a fair living wage for the workers niul the betterment pf the conditions for those on the lower rates of pay, and added help for the workers with large families. The speaker resumed his seat with rounds of applause and several questions were answered satisfactorily. At the close, the following motion was carried unanimously, moved by Mr. J. U- Thompson, and seconded by Mr. Wm. Bonner: "That this meeting of electors of the Stratford electorate thanks Major Hine for his able political address, and extends their fullest confidence to Major Hine for success at the coming poll, and confidence in the''Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey as the head of a democratic government, also congratulating Major Hine for his long and honorable career in our Dominion Parliament, and oil the battlefield, Where he did his duty fighting for the freedom of our Empire and the peace of the world.'' Renewed cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Hine, and cheers for the Premier concluded a successful meeting. MR. MASTERS' MEETING. Mr. Robert Masters received a remarkably enthusiastic reception at. the King's Cinema Theatre, Stratford, last night, when lje gave his final address to the electors. The theatre was packed long before the commencement of the meeting, and all the corridors and stairways were crowded. The Mayor (MrJ. W. McMillan) presided, and in introducing the candidate, appealed to the huge audience io give the candidate a fair hearing. Mr, Matters, who wast received with