Organised Heckling

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 152, 24 March 1938, Page 13

Organised Heckling

Sir, —The reply given by Mr. Savage to Mr. S. G. Holland's protest regarding the disgraceful organised attempts now being made to prevent opponents of the Government from speaking, is typical of Mr. Savage and his movement. Mr. Savage says that he has never had to appeal to Cabinet Ministers for a fair hearing, and he admits that he has always been courteously treated. That is because the people opposed to the reds believe in fair play for opponents, and whether they agreed iwith Mr. Savage or not would extend to him democratic right of free speech. Mr. Savage, being a member of the Labour Party, must surely know that the policy of howling down National speakers ia part of an organised plan to prevent any criticism of the Labour Party being uttered. Part of the same plan was seen in operation a few weeks ago in the House when, as soon as a National member began to speak, several Labour Party members would gather near a microphone and begin a conversation that would not bo noticed in the House, but which would prevent the speaker being heard clearly over the air. Labour knows that its record will not stand examination, and the word has gone forth accordingly.—l am, etc., EX-UNIONIST. Wellington, March 23.