THE ELECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 277, 23 November 1931, Page 11

THE ELECTION.

ROWDY MEETING. ORGANISED OBSTRUCTION. jUt. STALLWORTHY IN FORM, ISTERRUPTER EJECTED. withan audience packed like sardines M& overflowing through door, and winMr A. J. Stallworthy, Coalition S'candidate for Eden, spoke at the Methodi5 t Hall, Eden Terrace, on batSay «**>« a bombardment ol obstruction ana rowdyism. At = timee the candidate, who was in filing trim, had little chance of °akin" himself heard above tne Qin, the intensity of which was increased by the efforts of his supporters to outdo the rowdies by drumming on the floor feet and walking sticks. for three hours with astonishing good, iumoiir and smart repartee, the candidate, cleaving a way through the intersections and interruptions, stated the iT ae f or stability of Government, restoration of the" Dominion's finances, -oand and honourable finance, intensive laid settlement, and revival or industry, trade, and business, and unemployment. Even question time brought- no *esrate for the speaKcr. and when this ordeal had been passed, a motion was pat from the back of the hall That this meeting thanks Mr. btallworthy for a very entertaining evening"; but the chairman refused to accept what he termed '"an absurd motion/' Another member of the audience moved a vote of thanks and confidence, and attempted to give a speech on the Harbour Bridge project, and Mr. StallTvorthy's work in connection with it, but. was counted out by the noisy section. The motion of confidence was put, and there was loud response from the "aves," followed by a counter demonstration from the "'noes.' , "If we had not taken strong steps the country would have been to-day in a worse position than it is," declared Mr. Stallworth'y in the eariy part of his address. "You had to "cut , the post office cats' meat!" was one of numerous interjections from the hall. "'There is a man "who is up and down like a jack-in-the-box," said Mr. Stallworthy, pointing out the author of the remark. "I wonder how the intelligent people of the audience would like to have him, or the like of him, running the country." (Dissent.) ,: See what the Labour party has done in Australia,"' continued the candidate. "■The people's bank in New South Wales shut ite doors in the faces of its depositors," maintained Mr. Stallworthy. "That' would happen in Xew Zealand three months after the Labour party took office." There were further interruptions, and one passage was broken by a shrill female voice exclaiming. "Our tongues are our only protection." "A little more consideration for those irho are working for the masses -would jret you further," retorted the candidate, amid jeers and laughter. "My father fought for the'masses of this country when I was in swaddling clothes, and I have been doing so ever since I could speak." At this stage three minor debates developed in the body of the hall. A woman was trying to address the candidate, although several times told by her neighbours to "shut up." She was eventually overwhelmed by a full male chorus. Some time later the chairman -was forced to intervene, and warned an interjector that if he were not quieter he would be ejected. "Why pick on him?" asked the woman or the strident voice. '-'He has not talked half as much as me." This time it was the chairman's turn to be counted out. . Mr. Stallworthv was a~ain interrupted, after a 'words, bv"the same man, the chairman asked the conmi put the talka tive one out. >vnile the constable was leading the £ Good Fellow." referring presumably to the ejected one. S? y, - wl,en the din died ' " i ™ s Si\ the constabl e to let Mm «ay if he would behave." "He 'Vw? ? ght/ "' Said the Airman. a - is baci here again/' (Laughter.)