MR. FOWLDS HOOTED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1309, 12 December 1911, Page 6

MR. FOWLDS HOOTED.

"WE WANT WARD OUT OF IT." STORMY MEETING. (By Teleei»t)h.—Pres3 Association.) •;.••:■ Auckland, December 11. A hostile Tccpption was given to the Hon. Georgo Fowlds, Government candidate for Grey Lynn, at his meeting at tho Richmond tram terminus to-night. There ■wns a large crowd present, and, as soon ns Mr. Fowlds mounted the platform, a fusillade of hoots revealed the presence of a strong band of opponents. Mr. A. A. Creamer presided. As Mr. Creamer rose to introduce the candidate hoots and jeers were showered on him, niid it was some minutes beforo the speaker becaino audible. "Are you thji candidate ?" camo a question from tho crowd, but no answer could be heard in tho uproar which followed.

Although'.. Mr. Creamer persisted, his opponents were equally determined, and the din which followed was occasionally punctuated By cries of "Three cheers for Payne," which were given with much enthusiasm. At last Mr. Creamer was heard to ask what Mr. Fowlds had ,done for tho country, and the hostile section of the crowd' answered "Nothing." "Sit down! Wo don't want you!" cried tho crowd amidst hoots and cheers, but, as the speaker's enthusiasm was not dulled, tho crowd again called for cheers for Mr. Payne, and then vigorously sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." When Mr. Fowlds roso to speak, he was. accorded a similar reception io that meted out to tho chairman. "He said that he had not entered into, personalities, nor had ho criticised his opponents, but, as tho campaign had developed : into a personal one, ho would say something about Mr. Payne's scheme. At this stage the familiar strain of "Strike out the Top Line" was heard above Mr. Fowlds's remarks, and tho hoot 3 and jeers continued. There were also cries of "Give us politics." Mr. Fowlds proceeded: "If you will send mo to Parliament "

"No chance," cried an interjector. "I. will " _ The remainder of the sentenco was lost in deafening uproar.

Mr. Fowlds then went on to state that tho campaign now being fought out was a campaign of lies. At this stage tho Tiooting increased, and w?.s once relieved by a cry: "We want Ward out of it." Mr. Fowld.< remarked Hint lie had given Tip, his position as a Minister ia the \Vard Government in order to hasten reforrii and -advance, prosre'siro legislation. (Cries of "Oh, yes!" "Oh, yes!") I'or somo minutes Mr. FowUls endeavoured to drive homo his politics, but little could bo heard above the cheering and lmoting. Concluding. Mr. Fowlds wiid: "When it comes to the polling on Thursday, the majority of the people of 'Grey Lynn " "Will vote for Payne," cried tho terowd before Mr. Fowlds coujd finish. _ Amidst cheers and much counter hooting, tho candidate- .concluded a sneech of about hnlf an hour's duratinn-i sneech which throughout, was received by • a jar?? number of the crowd in a most no«tilo manner, and which was considerably, interrupted'by hootin?.' ', : . ■" Question' tinio' saw no abatement in the