LIVELY INTERLUDES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 122, 19 November 1931, Page 15

LIVELY INTERLUDES

HUB BUB AND UPROAR

CANDIDATE IN. HOT

WATER

. The Citizens' National Movement candidate for Wellington Central, Mr. E. AY. Nicolaus, got into hot water at his opening meeting last night when ho criticised the policy of the Labour Party. During the first part of his meeting the audience was fairly attentive, but a number of people put in an appearance after Mr. Darroch's meeting had dispersed, and they proceeded to mako their presence felt. Mr. Nicolaus said that many believed in the strength of trade unionism, but the trade unions had lost in one year what they had gained in 50 years. A voice: "I beg to differ." The interjector then proceeded to make a speech on the progress that had been made. Mr. Nicolaus said that when the Government legislated for lower wages, and more taxation, the Labour Party had not beeu able to do anything for the thousands who had suffered. A voice: "They fought it to the death in the House." The candidate said that the Labour Party in the House did not stand up for Labour interests. (Uproar.) An intcrjector: "There were only twenty of them." A burly newcomer: "I have hoard enough rot to-night. Tell us something about your policy." At this stage another member of the audience proceeded to address the gathering and he in turn was heckled. "AYe didn't come here to hear you," called but someone from the back of the hall. Another voice: "The time is getting on and we all want to havo a go." Still another: "Cut it out, 2YA." Tho candidate chipped in to say that tho worker to-day was not better at the end of the week than he was 50 years ago. A voice: "You aro only trying to make political capital." Mr. Nicolaus: "What political capital can I make from you? You seem pretty hard up. AVhat is political capital? Political capital is twisting statements and making lies. My policy cannot be twisted." He said that Mr. Holland in his policy speech had advocated a tax on wages. A chorus: "He did not." Mr. Nicolaus: "I heard him." A voice: "You arc the only one who heard him." ■ A member of the audience, very hot under the collar, rose to his feet and demanded an apology. The candidate: "If I am wrong I will apologise. I do not want to put upon anyone what he did not say." The burly one: "Why don't you leave the Labour leaders alone? I came in to hear your policy. What have you got to say? I have just come in, and I am sorry I did not come in before. Another voice: "Hey, several of us •want to ask the candidate questions. Tho burly one: "I hope you will tell us something different from the tripe we have just heard." Mr. Nicolaus: "AVhat did Lang do?" A voice: "Tell us something about Forbes and Coates; never mind about '"Let the candidate have a go," called out someone else. An argument then arose between two .jmembers.of the audience on the question'of whether it was fair or not that the candidate should be sublet to a barrage of interjections. "They'll think you are a paid agitator. You ought to be ashamed of yourself," said one. "You are not a credit to the Labour Party " "I am just as good a Labour man as you," replied the other. During the hubbub, the burly ono ■wandered up to the front, and called •out:."Wait till we get you down on the wharf in the. morning." (Uproar.) Mr. .Nicolaus: "You believe m intimidation?" The big fellow: "I don't believe m 'standing up and condemning other people. Harry Holland is a gentleman. What are you?" The candidate: "Just what I am. The big fellow: "Go outside, then? A voice: "AVho is paying for tho hall?" „, „ .. The big fellow: "We'll pay for it. It's not worth a tin of fish, anyhow. . After a short but heated discussion ■between two members of the audience calm was restored for a while, and the candidate proceeded to answer questions.