LOSS OF REFORM SEATS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 27 October 1928, Page 2

LOSS OF REFORM SEATS

PREDICTION BY UNITED PARTY CHAIRMAN. (By Telegraph—Special to “The Mail”) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. A prediction that tho Reform Party would lose three seats out of four in Taranaki Province and that the number of supporters of Mr Coates returned in other parts of the North Island would be greatly reduced as the result of the change in public opinion since the last election, was made yesterday by Mr R. Masters, ex-M.P. for Stratford and chairman of the Dominion Executive of the United Party. Mr Masters, after spending the day in Christchurch, proceeded to Invercargill by the night express. He will help in the organisation of the Invercargill electorate on behalf of Sir Joseph Ward, and will deliver a public address as chairman of the party organisation. Questioned regarding Sir Joseph Ward’s health, Mr Masters said the United leader was suffering from a disability which was not serious and had not prevented him from doing a tremendous amount of work in attending to correspondence. He was suffering from eya trouble brought on hv a' chill contracted while travelling to Auckland recently and on the advice of his doctor was resting in his home in Wellington for a few days. Sir Joseph had assured him that*in the very near future lie would proceed to his electorate. “Regarding the position as I have seen it in tlm North Island,” said Mr Masters. “there is not the slightest possible doubt that there lias been a, great change in. public opinion since the last election as far as the Reform Party is concerned/'

EASTERN MAORI SEAT GISBORNE, 26th October. Pita Te Turiki Taniatc M’oko has been

nominated for the Eastern Maori seat in opposition to Sir Apirana Ngata. It is understood Moko stands as an Independent. He was formerly secretary to Katana, and at one time fought in the Australian rings as Peter Thomas. NEW PLYMOUTH SEAT NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day. Mr C. E. Bellringer (Reform), and Mr W. G. Simpson (Labour) were ,nominated this morning for the New Plymouth seat. LAI)V CANDIDATE AT BREWERY (By Telegraph.—Special to “The Mail’') AUCKLAND, This Day. Speaking with a background ot barrels and hogsheads at the Great Northern Brewery yesterday, Mrs C. E. Macguire, Reform candidate for Auckland East, received a good hearing from 150 employees. The speaker outlined her fdeas on land settlement, unemployment, and other problems of the hour. In such an atmosphere it was perhaps inevitable that one question put to the candidate was to probe her regarding her attitude oil the licensing ballot. Mrs Macguire said she favoured two issues only, and a hare majority decision. In the event of Prohibition being nationally approved compensation should be paid. A vote of thanks was carried by acclamation.