A LIVELY MEETING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 246, 17 October 1925, Page 14

A LIVELY MEETING.

MB. WILSON QUESTIONED. ', WHAT CHANCE GOLDMAN ? There have perhaps been one or two "lively" meetings in Auckland since the present campaign was opened by candidates, seeking Parliamentary honours, but that held by Mr. C. A. Wilson in St. James' Hall last evening would beat all the others rolled into one. Right from the outset, when the chairman, Mr. F. Brinsden, told the audience he was in a position of a referee, and was going to see the candidate got a fair "go" or he would get the police to warn, and perhaps prusecute, offenders who continued to interrupt, there was plenty of life.

Continuously Mr. Wilson was heckled during the course of his address, and .times out of number he was asked to define his platform. At times there was a round of applause from his supporters, but ironical laughter, and sometimes loud snoring, was most often heard.

But it was at question time that the fun really commenced, and the candidate experienced a very sad time. A half-dozen persons wanted to ask the first question, and all were shouting at once.

The Chairman (after he had secured a little quiet): Mr. Saunders, you first. Mr. Saunders: Seeing that Mr. Wilson is the Reform candidate, and the Commissioner of Police has stated there is a shortage of 50 or GO constables in the Force, how is it that you get four constables and a sergeant here to-night? (Deafening applause.)

Mr. Wilson: I have nothing to do with the police. I take it it is their duty to attend political meetings, and I flatter myself they might have been interested in what I had to say. (Laughter.) Another: Are you in favour of the basic wage of the Civil servant as compared with 1914?

The Candidate: I don't know what the basic wage is.

A Voice: Seeing that he doesn't know what the basic wage for Civil servants is I'll tell him—£3 15/, and out of that

£1 7/ a month to pay for superannuation. Mr. Wilson: I shall certainly remedy that. (Laughter.) Are you speaking of adults?

A Voice: No, no, little boy.s. Mr. Wilson: £3 1,3/ for* single men might be ample; for married men it might be starvation. Question: Can you explain how Mr. Coates, in a statement, sets out that the Government made a profit on the railways of £1.250,000, but when the accounts are submitted to the AuditorGeneral the latter shows a deficit of over £700.000? Mr. Wilson: Two different statements. One made from the revenue and the other from the capital point of view. The Questioner: Not at all. He forgot to charge up interest at 3_ per cent on capital. Somebody then mentioned the seamen's strike. The Candidate: It has nothing to do with New Zealand. (L'proar.) The Chairman (to audience): Look here, I'm giving you a fair deal; give this man the same.

Question: Well, if New Zealand lias nothing to do with the strike why are you putting them in gaol? They're not doing that in England.

Mr. Wilson: New Zealand has to do "with its effects. The Government must carry out the law. and must have the right to put them in gaol. Question: Would you like to work •seven clays a week, twelve hours a day. for £2 5/ a week, and keep a wife and lamßy? -- U. llson: A man who sets marred ' on that wa_e deserves I'ttle sympathy. of *' ra MSWe ! bought forth ' a storm of booing ailll cr : es _ f „ g]m|ne .. reitore<l B -,?r., Ume be * OT « nuief wn* audience! gg; U,en a gentleman in the candidarc I TnL m ,l"- L W " nt *° "* the to Vie pcrfwtiv frt. _"' ,' ut T wan * '"m nuibWinst: wiiat chat* ,° Ut > Bnd no the trots J - ancc ha * Goldman a t