THE PATEA SEAT.
PROBABLE CANDIDATES. REFORM SELECTION TO-DAY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Hawera, Last Night. Representatives from different part# of the Patea electorate meet in Hawera to-morrow to discuss the political situa- . tion and select a candidate for the byelection. The position is not well defined so far as the Government candidate is concerned. Mr. Morrison, who has put up such a good fight in the Liberal interests on two former occasions, is already on the warpath, and his party is organ-* ising in every centre, quiffßy, but none the less effectively. Mr. Morrison is an affable and kindly personality, who makes friends quickly, but he is-, no platform man, and cannot be accused of being an authority on the pressing T problems of the day. If he were, perhaps he would be immediately disqualified in the minds of the average elector. Lieut.-Colonel Macdonald was early on the scene—too early for most people, who would have preferred the gallant colonel to have waited until he was invited to the district. Of course he is perfectly within his rights in offering to' sacrifice himself upon the local political altar, but his haste in reaching here and in thrusting himself upon the Reform Party suggest that he has something to learn about political tactics, which differ somewhat from military tactics. It can be taken for granted that he will receive short shrift by to-morrow’s meeting. Air. Clutha Alackenzie, on the other hand, showed a finer taste and discrimination. He told the local “true blues’* that he was there if he were wanted, and would gladly serve the constituency and the country. Hawera, however, while appreciating the honor, is unlikely to “take on” an outsider. He must be a local man, and, if belonging to this end of the district, all the better. Two local names are bandied about in. this connection, those of Air. E. Dixon and Air. J. Alurdoch. The former has been Afayor for some time, and shown himself a real “live wire”. He does not lack confidence in himself, which is a real asset in an aspirant for Parliamentary honors, and has the ability to quickly “find himself” on a platform, and to speak with strength, conviction and sincerity. He is not particularly keen, however, on standing just now, but if sufficient pressure were exerted he might be unable to resist. The fact that he used to fly the Liberal colors will not tell against him these days when parties and. polities generally are in the melting pot. Air. Alurdoch makes few enemies, which fact, together with a good measure of native ability, is responsible no doubt for the success he has made of things during the past ten years. He has now a good many interests, and whether he would have time to undertake Parliamentary responsibilities as well is,-the subject of a good deal of discussion here. He may, of course, not desire to stand. But if he were selected he would score very well, for he is much liked everywhere in the district. He is not an aggressive speaker, and it would take time for him to develop an effective platform manner, but he has come on so well in the past few years that hie friends claim he would soon be equal to this task. Other names are mentioned, but it is more than likely that the selection will be confined to the two gentlemen mentioned. It is a peculiar thing that some of the local Red Feds have announced their intention of supporting the Government man as against the Liberal candidate, now that Mr. Patrick Fitzherbert, their vhilom protagonist, has deserted thenu
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Taranaki Daily News, 18 March 1921, Page 4
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607THE PATEA SEAT. Taranaki Daily News, 18 March 1921, Page 4
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