AVON ELECTION.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20428, 24 December 1931, Page 12

AVON ELECTION.

MR SULLIVAN ENTERTAINS SUPPORTERS. Recently the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) was entertained by his sup' potters in celebration of iiiii success in the elections. Last evening Mr Sullivan gave a return social and dance in the Canberra Hall, Where his committee and supporters—about 400—gathered in response to, his invitation. .. The chairman (Mr H. Butterfield) apologised for the absence of the chairman of the committee (Mr G. Hunter) and a number of members of Parliament who were unable to attend. No Local Opponent. Mr J. K. Arfthtr said that the greatest delight was expressed at the result of the poll. All had been sure that Mr Sullivan would win, for several reasons. Once in their seats some Parliamentarians were apt to forget that hftrd work had to be faced, but Mr Sullivan wfts not of that type. It was a great compliment to him that a local man could not be found to oppose him. Such a situation had occurred for the first time in the history of Chfistchurch and he (the speaker) did not intend any disrespect to the other candidate. Even. Had & local man entered the contest the result would have been the. same, said Mr ArMr E. A. M. LeaveV expressed pleasure at being asked to join in the celebration of the victory. With such a ! committee, he said, the issue was never in doubt. Mr Sullivan had proved his ability to hold two positions, with the utmost success. # Mr G. T. Thurston said- that if the gathering was a reflection of the progress of the Labour movement it would not be long before the Government of the country was in the hands of thfe Labour Party. Mr E. Pariane also spokfei In reply, Mr Sullivan said that the Pominion was approaching the time when there would be a majority of Labour members in Parliament, and Labour men in charge of the Treasury benches. Over seven millions voted Labour in Great Britain in spite of the fact that almost the entire Press was against the Party. In New Zealand) Labour had improved is position, and the Coalition vote had been reduced by over 100,000, while the Labour vote had been increased greatly. To-day the movement was knocking at the doors of political power, said Mr Sullivan, who added that he predicted that three years hence Labour would be in the majority. "There is-not a constituency in New Zealand wherein r candidate has been accorded the loyal and efficient support that I have received, " he concluded. . .. items were given and the rest of thief evening was spent in' during.