IN FIGHTING FORM

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 109, 4 November 1925, Page 9

IN FIGHTING FORM

MR. WRIGHT AT ISLAND BAY

Although the opening stages of Mr. R. A. Wright's meeting at Island Bay gave an indication that proceedings might be lively, the candidate', who was in fine fighting trim, wore dowri the interjec i tors, and was allowed to proceed with , few' interruptions. The chairman was Mr. J. 0. Shorland. , Mr. A. W., Blair filled in the breach at Island Bay . while Mr. Wright made the trip from Happy Valley. Mr. Blair devoted his time to' an attack on the Labour Party, and he made numerous references to Australia. A woman's voice: "Oh, give us something about New Zealand." . Mr. Wright arrived shortly afterwards and, in introducing. the speaker, the chairman said that on the following day' they would all be voting Reform. The same voice: "And Prohibition." The Chairman: "Well/ 1 don'i. rn,ind if you do." Mr. Shorland proceeded to paint a picture of the land where the Prime Minister came from. ' , The voice: "Lovelyj isn't it?" • Mr. Shorland: "Yes, it is lovely; and that's where'he comes froni." ' Another voice: "Out of a log." (Laughter.) ' ■ . Mr. Wright then commenced his ad- i dress, first of all thanking Mr. Blair for opening the meeting. A voice: "Hallelujah !" (Loud laughter.) ' x ■ ' Mr. Wright: "I'm afraid that man is under, the impression he!s. in church. He ought to take more water with it." :'. , After this there were few interruptions, j although "the Voice" was occasionally hefird above that of the candidate^ Tho candidate made, a vigorous attack on tho Labour Party's platform, and also outlined what had been done by the Government in! regard to pensions. At question time, Mr. Wright was faced with the statement which he was alleged to have made at the last election, that the union bosses should be drummed out of the country.. Mr. Wright declared emphatically, after some discussion had taken place in regard to the actual words used on the historic occasion, that he did riot withdraw a single word of his statement. (Loud applause.) ■■ ' . ■ One questioner asked Mr. Wright what he meant by describing himself as "the man who gets thin»s done." Mr. Wright went back into history in order to deal with his activities in the interests of the ■ Suburbs electorate, and judging by the applause he appeared to have quite satisfied the audience.

A motion of confidence was carried.