MR SHEAT TAKES SEAT AGAIN

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27427, 13 August 1954, Page 12

MR SHEAT TAKES SEAT AGAIN

Opposition Chorus Of Interjections “ROUSING RECEPTION” BY CAUCUS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 12. A chorus of interjections from the Opposition benches greeted Mr W. A. Sheat, the unendorsed National Party candidate who won the by-election in Patea, when he was sworn in by Mr Speaker and resumed his seat in the House of Representatives today. Mr Sheat caused the by-election when he resigned from Parliament because of a dispute with the electorate branch of the party. At the weekly Government caucus today Mr Sheat was escorted into the room by the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) and in the Prime Minister’s words was given a rousing reception. When Mr Sheat was taken up to Mr Speaker's dais to be sworn in he was escorted by the Government Whips, Mr A. S. Sutherland and Mr R. G. Gerard, and he took the seat at the rear of the main Government benches that he occupied before his resignation. “The hatchet’s buried,” “He looks a bit shorn,” “The black Sheat,” and “A picture of unity,” were calls from Oppositon members after 'Mr Speaker informed the House that Mr Sheat had been re-elected. “What a farce,” commented Mr J. B. Kent (Deposition, Westland) as Mr Sheat Walked back to his seat. “What did that cost the country?” asked Mr W. W. Freer (Opposition, Mount Albert). When Mr Sheat had taken the oath of allegiance Government members applauded, but the Opposition benches remained silent. Mr Sheat is likely to speak in the Budget debate, which now seems likely to continue until Tuesday, although Mr Holland had wanted to wind it up this evening.