THE PATEA SEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1921, Page 5

THE PATEA SEAT.

MR. DIXON’S CAMPAIGN. Mr. E. Dixon, the Reform candidate, addressed a representative meeting at the Tea Kiosk at the racecourse on Monday evening. Mr. Spratt was voted to the chair. At the conclusion of the meeting several questions were- asked and satisfactorily answered. Mr. Dixon, dealing with the opinions of some of the Liberals of Mr. Massey, said: “I look upon the Prime Minister as an exceedingly strong man physically and mentally, as an exceedingly strong man of great administrative ability.” Mr. Scott moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Dixon for his able and instructive address, and confidence in the Massey Government. A very strong committee was formed, with Mr. Scott as chairman. ADDRESS BY MR. MASTERS, M.P. Mr. Robert Masters, M.P., for Stratford, addressed a large gathering of electors in the Grand Theatre, Hawera, on Monday evening, in the interests of Mr. W. Morrison’s candidature. The chair was occupied by Mr. E. Morissey.

At the close of the address lasting an hour and a quarter, several questions were asked, and the exchanges between questioners and the speaker were much enjoyed. Mr. P. O’Dea was particularly aggressive, and one retort of Mr. Masters may be given as an idea of the position at one stage. After stating two or three times that he had answered a certain question regarding Chinese indentured labor in Samoa, Mr. O’Dea persisted in having an answer from Mr. Masters—“ Yes” or “No.”

Mr. Masters rose, and shaking his fist at the questioner, roared: “You can’t come your lawyer bluff on me, Paddy!” The meeting was convulsed, and Mr. O’Dea sat down, joining in the laugh. But he rose several times later, and eventually was “counted out,” to the intense enjoyment of the meeting, and the chagrin of the Labor section. At the conclusion, a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation was accorded Mr. Masters for his address. LABOR CAMPAIGN. (Contributed.) Mr. Lewis Mcllvride, the Labor candidate for Patea, addressed a well-at-tended meeting at Westmere On Monday night, Mr. H. Lawrence occupying thfe chair. Mr. Mcllvride, who spoke- for over an hour and a half, received an attentive and appreciative hearing, and at the conclusion was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. His address was on the lines of his previous addresses. Several questions were asked and answered bearing on the planks of the Labor platform.

Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., addressed a good meeting at Brunswick on Monday night, Mr. C. J. Duggan occupying the chair. Brunswick has always been a strong Reform centre, and Reformers turned up in force, but they gave the speaker a fair and impartial hearing, though they bombarded him with questions at the conclusion. When the meeting was over, Mr. Fraser was still threshing out political problems groups of interested Reformers. Mr. Fraser was accorded a hearty vote of thanks at the conclusion of his address.