Students Heckle P.M. In Capital

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30286, 12 November 1963, Page 14

Students Heckle P.M. In Capital

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 11. University students helped to make an election meeting held here by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) tonight the rowdiest in his campaign. About 10 students threw frequent interjections to Mr Holyoake during his 90-minute address.

The students, distinguished by big red carnations on their clothing, sat at the front of the Town Hall, which was three-quarters full. Mr Holyoake, supporting six local candidates, handled the interjections easily, but he did not reply to the many, from the various parts of the hall, about the secrecy clause of the Indecent Publications Act and the Shand libel action.

Mr Holyoake said the National Government had not come to the people with a new look. “We don’t need one. We’re always advancing with the times.” Labour, he said, always had a new look at elections, but the old look in office. For the last three years the Government had been on trial and open to criticism. That was democracy at work. Interjector: How about democracy for Liberals on the radio? Later, Mr Holyoake said National believed that, in everything, there would be the greatest degree of freedom and the greatest incentives. Interjector: What about the freedom of the press and Clause 15? The Prime Minister said the Government had been through three years of difficult administration, but it had not stampeded and brought in panic measures It had restored the economy and created confidence throughout the country.

He pledged the National Government to reduce taxation rates, as it had done in 10 of its 11 years. He said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nordmeyer) had claimed the Government had not reduced the rates of indirect taxation. That was untrue. It had abolished duty on private imports, reducing the cost of living by £1,500,000.