MR HOLYOAKE AT HASTINGS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28446, 28 November 1957, Page 16

MR HOLYOAKE AT HASTINGS

Scuffle Delays Address (New Zealand Press Association) HASTINGS, Nov. 27. The Prime Minister (Mr Holf©ake) was given a noisy reception by small sections of an audience ©f about 900 in the Hastings Municipal Theatre to-night. But after a constable had escorted two men from the gallery there were fewer disturbances, though interjections continued. He was, however, given a good hearing, and was cheered on his arrival and departure. A persistent heckler in the gallery was spoken to twice by a policeman early in the meeting. A little later he was seized by the constable, and a struggle ensued. Several women sitting nearby left the theatre. A fireman on duty hastened apparently to the assistance of the policeman and a crowd gathered round the struggling men. Mr Holyoake stopped speaking while the scuffle took place. The constable escorted one man outside, and then returned to remove the man whom he had first seized.

When quiet was restored the Prime Minister said he was “getting used to that sort of thing.” Every 24 hours he was being given a demonstration of Socialist free speech and Socialist democracy, he said.