BY-ELECTION FOR PATEA

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27426, 12 August 1954, Page 12

BY-ELECTION FOR PATEA

MR SHEAT’S COMMENT ON RESULT

(New Zealand Press Association) HAWERA, August 11. The result was most satisfactory and a substantial endorsement of his action in vacating his seat in Parliament toallow a clearing of the local political atmosphere, which had become imperative, said Mr W. A. Sheat, this morning, commenting on the result of the Patea by-election, which he won by 18 votes. Mr Sheat said he knew that a few of those who had supported him had done so for other reasons, but he was sure that the great majority had done so because they shared his grave concern over certain most unsatisfactory developments affecting the control of their political affairs and their future representation in Parliament. Mr.Sheat said he had been obliged to make public his rrtost severe criticism of the abuse of the local party political organisation. Had his strictures been without foundation he would not have deserved the support of 100 electors. That 3648 had voted renewed confidence in him was a clear indication to the people responsible that they should immediately proceed to set their house in order and repair the serious harm done to a great and honoured political organisation by the conduct of a few officials.

He was confident, he added, that swift and drastic action would now-be taken to institute a long-delayed cleanup in local political circles, and his faith in the fundamental decency and love of democracy of the average citizen would ultimately be fully justified.