MIXED RECEPTION

Evening Star, Issue 20010, 30 October 1928, Page 7

MIXED RECEPTION

PREMIER AT AUCKLAND MR COATES IN FIGHTING FORM (.Special to the 'Stab.’] AUCKLAND, October 30. Although three parts of the big Town Hal] were filled with ticket holders before the general public were admitted at 7.30, the Premier had a very mixed reception when bo entered the hall last night to deliver his address in the interests of the Government, lleform supporters applauded and cheered, but there was a counter blast of hoots and boohs, Mr Coates, who spoke for two hours and a-quartcr, was subjected to a running fire of comment from the back seats and the top gallery during the early part of his speech, but after 0 o'clock the crowd became quiet, and for nearly half an hour he spoke without interjection. Mr Coates told the audience ho would sooner address an Auckland crowd than any other. He reminded them of his boyhood days, when ho ran around in bare legs. A V oico; Pily yon aro not barelegged still. “Give us your policy,” was the demand from the rear, and to this Mr Coates retorted that ho might have to work up to wider questions of national importance in kindergarten manner, so that certain persons might understand. —(Laughter and applause.)

A Voice: "What about the canteen fund.

Mr Conies: Go to the canteen and have a drink. You’re dry. (Laughter.) The Premier next spoke on Motuihi Island, part of which is to bo reserved as a marine park for yachtsmen and aquatic folk’. The Government guaranteed to bring that into effect. A Voice: How longf Mr Coates: It never took this Government long to do anything. (Incoherent shouts from the back.) Cries of “ rot” and “soup kitchens,” followed by “good old Harry” were hoard at intervals, and when the Prime Minister mentioned Sir Joseph Ward there was a burst of loud applause. The small hut noisy minority continued to heckle. iho loud cheers and footstamping swelled to a crescendo, and there were salvoes of cheers when Mr Coates quoted from the United Party’s advertisement phrase: “Sir Joseph Ward, New Zealand's only statesman.” The Premier continued in face of incessant interruption, and advised the rowdy ones to take their physic as he proceeded to ridicule the United Party’s policy. The Uniteds were saying to the electors: “We cannot prove that the Government has not carried out its policy, efficiently, but put us in, and let us flood the country with borrowed money. Let us all eat, drink, and bo merry to-day with the other follows’ financial champagne, and let headache wait,”

The Premier began to speak about the price of bread, when someone asked: “What price'is soup?” Mr Coates, who was at the top of his form, went on to speak of Empirebuilding. reminding his audience that practically everything the fanner used came in free of duty, so long as it came from a British country. “Wo in this country desire to keep the standard of living high, and Voice: And kick you out. “You’re a failure,” came from the “You’d believe anything,” retorted the Premier. He went on to speak of the depression which had been suffered. “This depression,” ho said, “has touched all classes.” Voice: Except you. Mr H. Northcroft moved a vote of thanks to Mr Coates, and appreciation of the Government’s administration during the past three years, and continued conofuleucp.

About two-thirds of the vast crowd voted “Aye,” but the remaining third sent back'a thundering “No.” When the mayor declared the resolution carried a little man loaned over the gallery, and called in a thin voice: “Wo have no confidence.”