MIXED FARE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 228, 27 September 1938, Page 12

MIXED FARE.

MR. POOL IN FORM.

NOISE AT MORNINGSIDE.

STRONG OPPOSITION MET.

\ Fashions, onions, wheat prices and Socialism all rubbed shoulders at Hirst's Hall, Morningside, last night when Mr. Donald Pool, National party candidate for Kden, told electors what an economic paradise awaited them if he were returned as one of a majority National Government. Though the words "friendship, love and truth" were inscribed in red letters above the door, there was some reason to believe that the 250 odd people present at the meeting severely fractured the first two sentiments before the night was finished. From the chairman's speech onwards bedlam ensued, but the candidate, armed with quantities of data and a microphone, was sufficiently insistent to get his message across in full fighting form.

The meeting got under way gracefully with the presentation of a bouquet to Mrs. Pool, who was also on the platform; the chairman. Mr. B. W. Beaumont said the usual introductory words; the audience at the rear of the ball gave three cheers for "Mickey Savage;" the audience at the front dissented by giving cheers for the Nationalist party . . . and the fun commenced. A Touch of Spring. "This is the springtime of the year," said Mr. Pool, "and also the springtime of the Labour party. But for all that she is the same old lady—the same old ugly woman. She has a dash of colour from Mickey Savage, her shoes were given by Mr. Seniple and her hat, probably, by Mr. Xash." * But for all that, the candidate continued, Mr. J. A. Lee had strip]>ed the clothes from this old woman in his recent book and left her for what she really was. (Loud cries of "Boo." "(live us your policy," and "Leave Mr. Lee alone.")

Mr. Pool went on to criticise the increase in the price of bread which, he claimed, was due to the (lovernment profiteering in wheat. This applied also to onions.

He. personally, always stood for the Arbitration Court, Mr. Pool went on, but the Court would be left unfettered—

A gloomy voice: Unfeathcred, you mean. Not a feather to fly with.

At question time the candidate said the National party would repeal compulsory unionism, dictatorial powers invested in Minister* and the Fair Rents Act.

A vote of confidence in the candidate and the National party was declared l>y the chairman to l>e carried, tlioiijrli it received a mixed reception. The meeting broke up with cheers for the National party and for the Labour Government, both factions straining their lungs in their enthusiasm.

Then the crowd filed out and a great silence fell on Hirst's Hall, Morningsile.