PATEA BY-ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1921, Page 5

PATEA BY-ELECTION.

CORRECTED FIGURES. A corrected report for the Patea byelection shows that the total for Mr. Morrison at Mosstown is 56. This will make the totals as follows: Dixon 2626, Morrison 2356, Mcllvride 546. MR. MASSEY PLEASED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, April 14. The Prime Minister to-day made the following statement regarding the result of the Patea election:— “I expected Mr. Dixon to win, and am naturally pleased at the result of the election. Mr. Dixon is a man of much more than average ability, but his principal opponent had the advantage of being a farmer which in an agricultural district means a great deal I think, in the circumstances, the new member did well, and I predict that his constituents will have good reason to be satisfied with him.”

MR. WILFORD COMMENTS. “A MINORITY VICTORY.” “Again the Reform Party lias succeeded on a minority vote, polling 2620 votes as compared with 2890 polled against them,” was the comment of Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) on the Patea by-election to a Wellington Times representative. “It was wise of Mr. Massey, when repealing the seconcb ballot,” he added, “to put nothing in its place. That Act was a life-saving device. The Liberal Party has a strong following in the Patea electorate. The fact that 2344 electors polled for the Liberal Pajrty 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 victory, and, without doubt, the Hol’and Party is becoming the asset of the Massey Party in any by-election which may eventuate.

“The Liberal Party realises 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 be noticed what assistance the Liberal candidate received during the Patea election from Messrs. Veitch, Smith, and Atmore. In a straight-out fight between Liberal and Reform in the Patea seat the Liberals could beat Reform to-day by a substantial majority. That was admitted by Reform supporters. I wish to thank Messrs. Forbes, Masters, Veitch, Smith, and Atmore for the assistance they rendered the Liberal candidate during the contest, and to assure Mr. Morrison that his efforts on ’ behalf of the Liberal Party are much appreciated.”