THE DEMOCRAT PARTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 235, 4 October 1935, Page 6

THE DEMOCRAT PARTY.

In your report of the Democrat meeting of "a thousand promises" the statement appearing that "I was refused a hearing" when I rose to move an amendment to the motion of confidence is hardly correct put in that bald form. When I reached the platform I handed a copy to the Mayor, but he stated Mr. Hislop did not want any amendment put and asked me under the circumstances not to. I pointed out that Mr. Hislop's action was unprecedented and requested that I should be permitted to go on. Mr. Hislop objected, and said, "Who is this man?" The Mayor told him, and I turned to Mr. Hislop and eaidj "Why do you object?" He said he had a lot more business. By this time his supporters who were in the front began to make a noise. The amendment, which I consider was perfectly legitimate and lawful, read as follows: "That ill the opinion of this meeting there W 110 room for a third party in the coming election. Tlie Democrat policy shows nothing practicable that is not already provided >by one or the other of the main parties already in the field. And the Democrats could best serve the interests of their country by ■withdrawing from the contest and leaving the issue to be fairly decided between the Government and tlie Labour party." My desire was to point out that the meeting, being packed before the doors were open by ticket holders, was undemocratic, and the intrusion of any third party of inexperienced candidates was going to add confusion confounded at the coming polls. A. HALL SKELTOM.