CROSS-CHALLENGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 257, 30 October 1935, Page 12

CROSS-CHALLENGES.

MINISTER AND INTERJECTOR.

PERSISTENT. HAWERA HECKLING.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

HAVVERA, this day,

When he declared that the Minister was not game to debate publicly with Mr. W. Nash'(Labour, Hutt) the suitability of members of .the Labour party for Parliamentary positions, Mr. L. Fink became the central figure of a dramatic interlude during a speech by the Minister of Education and Employment (Mr. Smith) at-Hawera last night. Early in * the- meeting, when interjections were coming from all parts of the theatre, Mr. Smith caustically, criticised

his hecklers for sheltering in the audi

ence and not being game to face him. • Later, when discussing the personnel of the various parties, Mr. Smith said that the Government had men better suited to give an expert judgment on problems than any other party. "Would you debate that "with Mr. Nasli?" a voice called. -

"No, I would not discuss it," said Mr. Smith. "I am too busy."

The Interjector: Yon aren't game. Mr. Smith took exception to the remark. "I invite anybody to step up and say that to my face," lie challenged. :

Mr. Fink promptly rose and went to the stage to the accompaniment of .much applause. He was told by Mr. Smith to sit down, but refused. Mr. Smith asked him what he meant. "Don't you know how to behave yourself?" he inquired. "Certainly I do," replied Mr. Fink. The chairman, Mi. J. E. Campbell, intervened and spoke to Mr. Fink. "I hope you will behave yourself,' said Mr. Smith, as Mr. Fink crossed back to his seat amid another outburst of applause.

Mr. Smith was speaking as deputy for Mr, H. G. Dickie (Government, Patea,), who was indisposed. He was persistently heckled by sections of the audience.