PTAKI

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 82, 16 October 1928, Page 10

PTAKI

Mr. W. H. Meld addressed a largo i meeting at Otaki last evening, Mr. H. Freeman being in the chair. The canI didato received an appreciative and attentive hearing. He' mentioned that he had not intended contesting the seat again, but he was strongly urged by the Government and constituents all over tho electorate to do so: Ho had willingly consented because he still had the necessary energy, and there was yet much to be done for the district, in which he had considerable personal as well as sentimental interests. Ho said that the natural division of the people of this country politically should be into two parties, Reform and Labour, and drew attention to the extraordinary decadence of the Liberals both in tho Old Country and here during recent years. The position, he felt sure, was that the Reform Party would be returned to power with a strong majority, and so far as the Labour and United Party wero concerned it would | simply be a contest as to which should be His Majesty's Opposition. He described Mr, Ooates as a worthy successor of Mr. Massey, and assured his hearers that Mr. Coates was imbued with one object, and one only—namely, j the promotion of the welfare of the DoI minion and of every section of its people. His platform of 1925 had been strictly adhered to, and his further proposals would be announced' at once. Mr. Field dealt with what he described as the grossly unfair criticism of the National Debt, and he strongly impressed upon his hearers the excellent name the Dominion possessed in financial circles in the Old Country. He dealt also with the beneficial legislation of the Eeform Government during tho past sixteen years and the increased prosperity of the country during that period, and said that although we had passed through a difficult period the position was now very much improved, and prospects were brightening every day. He dealt with a number of other leading poltical subjects, and at tho end of.' his address a number of questions were answered. A vote of thanks and confidence, moved by Mr. H. L. Beauchamp, and seconded by Mr. R. Bevan, was carried unanimously.