NATIONAL PARTY

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 196, 19 June 1939, Page 3

NATIONAL PARTY

OPOTIKI BRANCH MEETING REPORTS PRESENTED - .* s There was a good attendance at the annual meeting. of the Opotiki Branch of the National Party. MT. F. J. Short, chairman, presided, and thanked those who had attended on such a cold night. Apologies for absence were received, from AlSssrs-. AVA. Gault, G. Hamilton, C. Black and All's. Black. The secretary (Air. E. 0. East), read the minutes of the previous annual meeting, these being confirmed. Air. Short then madte a brief report of the political situation. He stated that the people had had an opportunity of seeing wlia-t Labour legislation had done to the country. They could be very glad the National Party had not become the Government. The organisation in thci Bay of Plenty electorate had been very complete and lie did not think it could have been bettered. He would like to pay a tribute to his executive committee and others who had 1 brought the organisation up to such a high standard. He also paid a tribute to the excellent work detoo by the ladies, who had been a great, help. He also wished to thank Mr. East who had shown great ability and had an excellent grasp of the position. At the election they had every reason to be proud of the way the National candidate had taken his defeat. Air. Sullivan had: done good w.ork and had carried out his part and showed his worth and sportsmanship when the result became known.

A brief report on the election day organisation was made by Air. Last. He said all. arrangements in Opotiki had been well carried out and there had been no hitch. AVliakatane also did, their job very well. Other branches worked well but there had been disappointing results in some instances. Air. Sullivan had only lost by 169 votes. In Opotiki and AA'hakatane counties he had secured a big majority. The voting at AVaimana and Taneatua was particularly good. However on the sheep stations the employees—who were in the majority —had obviously voted solidly for the Labour candidate. The establishment of a number of 'small labour camps had also been a good deal responsible for the National candidate’s defeat, Soon after the election a number of these camps had been closed down. Over 200 Alaori voters who were not- entitled to, had been put on the roll, and approximately 140 ot these had voted. This was enough to have upset the result had a petition been lodged. However it would' have meant a great deal of work in securing the necessary proof. Tlic only solution was to have a roll for the Maoris also. Ho had written the Attorn-ey-General in this connection and had heard the suggestion had been referred to the Prime Minister. No doubt- something would be done about it. 'The financial statement showed a small credit balance. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted as follows : Chairman, Air. F. J. Short (reelectedl). Secretary, Air. H. C. East (re-elect-cd). Hon. Treasurer, Air. G. J. Neilson (re-elected). Committee —A strong committee of approximately 30 members was elected. Delegates to Electorate Committee, Messrs. CL Gordon, iE. J. Baigent and Airs. V. AATlspn.

Women’s Committee: Airs. Wilson reported that the ladies would beholding their annual meeting at an early date. ** Air. East reported that Air. F. JShort was one of three representatives of the South Auckland Division on the Dominion Council, andi had recently been elected, ns a vice-president on the Dojninioo Council. General Report by Chairman. Air. Short next dealt with the work dene outside the electorate, but first referred to 1 lie meeting of delegates held in Gisborne after the election. J-le stated that this meeting had, been very largely attended and all present were keen to continue the light. Air. Fiist had already given, the reasons which had led up to the defeat of Air. Sullivan for the Ray ol Plenty seat, the chairman stated.

Air. Short -went on to say that at the annual meeting of tlie South Auckland Division, which had been held at Hamilton reference was made to the need of securing authentic information as to the bad effects of the Lab-

found and accused! admitted os of that.' was stolen from Warren’s Accused also elected to make a~ Tstatement which was read in court and in which he admitted various offences. Tire next witness, Sam Cutts', farm labourer employed by Air. Van stone, Otara, stated that on Thursday 15th. ' June, lie coukLnot. find a. pair of shoes which was left in his .room. The.shoes produced were his and were valued at < 10s. A pair of trousers were also missing. The scarf and trousers produced werei his. His room was about 20 yards from Air. Yanstone’s house. [Witness knew accused by sight. The total value of the goods' was 27s (3d.

Constable W. A. Ra-thie stated that lie searched accused’s belongings at the Police Station on 18th. June and found a. pair of black shoes,-a pair of trousers and a white silk scarf. ‘Accused! was asked aboufvthe articles, and readily admitted the theft from the hut on loth7 June. Accused made a statement whicli was produced in which lie stated lie stole the * articles when lie saw the previous witness go to tea. Reginald Stuart, employed by Air. Alurray, Waioc-ka, stated that he was in a building about- 75 yards from the house. On 7th. June he had 22s in a cigarette case removed while he. was milking. Brian Gilmore,* alsb employed by Air. Alurray, stated! lie lived in.a building about 100 : yards from the house. On 7th. June he had about £33 in the liut when he went to milk. He had 6d in a wallet beside papers. After being informed by Stuart of his Jess he found two tins missing, one containing £2 and badges. His wallet valued at £l, was also missing. Constable Rathie stated that lately he had been making' enquiries regarding the alleged theft of money and other Articles from two. whares at Murray’s place. Witness interviewed accused!' at the Police station on 18th. June. Witness showed him two statements made by persons who had had articles stolen. Accused then admitted committing the offence and made a statement which was produced. The money had been spent and other articles thrown into the river.

Accused stated he had nothing to say andl pleaded guilty to all charges. Sergeant Isbister asked that accused be committed to the Auckland Supreme Court for sentence.