AUCKLAND PAMPHLET RAID

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 309, 24 September 1943, Page 9

AUCKLAND PAMPHLET RAID

Election Propaganda

Dominion Special Service. AUCKLAND, September 23. Election propaganda fell literally out of the blue on Auckland yesterday when, during one of the day’s fitful periods of sunshine, a large American aircraft showered- parts of the city" with leaflets. How in these particular times an aircraft, a large and modern one and American at that, was made available for the purpose is one of the minor mysteries of die election, and the mar. Some of tue leaflets carried the Democratic Labour Party's manifesto. Others were in support of tjie party’s candidates for Auckland East and Auckland Central, Flying Officer L. S. Dromgoole and Mr. L. A. liVhccitlcy If official denials of the party officers are to be taken at their face,value, nobody at all had anything to do with the introduction of this novel note into the election. Apparently the only thing that, happened waA that a machine took ott from a nearby aerodrome, found its way to the city, picked out the constituencies of Auckland East and Auckland Central, and, from convenient heights to ensure an equitable distribution, gave .the electors something to read. Then the aircraft went .home again. . Since no one would accept official responsibility for this display of enterprise, or for the aircraft suddenly becoming aa election robot, various unofficial explanations were proffered. In, keeping with the robot theory, oiie was that the aircratt had decided that the Democratic Labour Party was entitled to greater use of the air than the one broadcast allocated it by the Government, and had taken a flight to redress the balance. Minister's Comment. The assurance that serious consequences would follow the scattering of political leaflets over Auckland yesterday was made-by Mr. Parry, Labour candidate for Auckland Central, at the Masonic Hall, Queen Street, last night. “Tonight I must make reference to my opponents,” said Mr. Parry in opening his address. “Today, there was brought to me a circular dropped from the air. Thousands. I believe, tine dropped round Auckland, . and in> electorate, and a lot, also, into the sea. A voice: The proper place for. them. “I don't much mind what IS I’’ 1“° pamphlet,” Mr. Parry continued It m a typical piece of Lee-ism : that I Pill leave to the electors to deal with. But I am complaining at the way lu "Inch the circular was distributed. Mr. Lee’s candidates were unable to get well-attended meetings, or helpers to deliver printed matter, Mr. Parry contended. Because of this, the Lee party had been forced to resort to other means of spreading their propaganda lie wondered if Mr. Lee would deny that he bad entered into an arrangement “It is a serious offence. More will, of course, be beard of it,' he added.