PATEA BY-ELECTION

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2264, 16 April 1921, Page 3

PATEA BY-ELECTION

Mr Edward Dixon, the newly-el-ected member for Paten, has taken a prominent part in local affairs. He is a New Zealander by birth, and has been in business in Hawera for twenty-six years. For three terms lie has been Mayor of Hawera, and lie lias also served on the Wanganui and New Plymouth Education Boards, the Repatriation Board, the Chamber of Commerce (president for three years), and the Licensing Bench. He has taken a leading part in the Prohibition movement.

“A MINORITY VICTORY.” MR, T. M. WILFORD’S VIEWS. Commenting on the figures, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr T. M. Wilford) said the Reform Party had again succeeded on a minorityvole, polling 2,650 votes as compared with 2,890 votes polled against the party. “It was wise of Mr Massey, when repealing the second ballot,” Mr Wilford added, “to put nothing in its place. That Act was a life-saving device. The Liberal Party lias a strong following in the Pa tea electorate. The fact that 244 majority polled for the Liberal Party proves that the statement that the Liberal Party was down and out is miles from the truth. The Holland Party has assisted Mr Massey to gain a minority majority, and, without doubt, the Holland Party is becoming the asset of the Massey Party in any by-election which mav eventuate.

“The Liberal Party realise that, even if it does not at once obtain office, it will deserve well of the country if it keeps the Holland Party from office, which it can do by remaining the* compact and‘growing party it has become in the last few months. It will bo noticed what assistance the Liberal candidates received during the Paten election from Messrs Veitch, Smith, and Almore. In a straight-out fight between Liberal and Reform in the Patea seat the Liberals could best Reform to-day by a substantial majority. That was admitted to me by Reform supporters. I wish to thank Messrs Forbes, Masters, Veitch, Smith and Atmore for the assistance they rendered the Liberal candidate during this contest, and to assure Mr Morrison that bis efforts on behalf of the Liberal Partyare much appreciated.”