JIM’S BIG TALK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 4 November 1925, Page 4

JIM’S BIG TALK.

(Written for The Star.)

Unlike the. majority of the Haweral people, I am no iover of political gatnerings, and therefore there was no one more surprised than myself when A found myself struggling with a swaying mass of humanity to gain admission to the Opera House last evening. Perhaps my desire to become a budding politician had been stirred by the fact that all day long yesterday I heard nothing but politics being discussed. As a matter of fact, the arguments which I heard regarding the prospects <of the various (candidates seemed to' suggest that an event almost as important as the All ing with the English fifteen at Twickenham some months ago was about to f olrA rvLIPA At any’ rate, after a desperate struggle in the scrum at the door, 1 found myself comfortably seated in the body of the Jiall, and directly awaited events. ' .

Mr Pacey bravely led the procession on to the stage, and after reading the Riot Act, called on Mr Corrigan to address the gathering. . I couldn’t quite catch all that AD; Corrigan said, blit, judging from the clapping of hands and the of feet, I guessed that he was saying something nice to the people. Everyone seemed quite happy when Mr Pacey again got lip to speak to the audience, and announced that Mi Corrigan would be pleased to answer any questions. One sweet young thing, next to whom,l was fortunate enough to be seated, gave me a beaming smile and Volunteered the information that the best part of the programme was about to commence. I could see all stretching their necks in a certain direction, and, glancing that way, I saw Mr' O’Dea standing up. He said‘he would like to know if Mr Corrigan was in favour of nationalisipg the legal profession in order that the working man might be saved considerate expenses in lawyers’ fees when transacting business in respect to dwellings, etc. - . Air'. Corrigan, in reply to this question, gave quite a nice little speech. He said he had always had the greatest respect for the iegal profession—more especially the members of the local branch, who had always treated him with the greatest courtesy.-' At, the same time, as the poor man’s friend, he was in favour of nationalising the profession, as he realised it would be of considerable benefit to the working man. The next question wa s from a man in the gallery, who wanted to know if it were a fact that Mr Corrigan’s. claim to be a man of many parts suggested that’he had gone to pieces. Although the question was addressed to Air Corrigan, Air Pacey. evidently thought it was for him to answer, for he got out of hi s seat. I didn’t catch all he said, but I heard him whisper something about “putting out” and “police,” and everyone seemed to be making a great noise. As the meeting seemed to he, free for I thought I might venture to ask Mr Corrigan a question, so with that intention I rose to my feet. I had no sooner stood -up than a man sitting behind me ordered me to sit down and keep quiet. Mr Brown, I think this gentleman’s name was. He mumbled something about me always holding the floor and disturbing meetings. Not content with that, lie started pulling me back into my seat-. At the third tug he gave me I woke ai ? d J h «? rd ,tny wife shouting: There 8 Syme s whistle; it’s half-past seven and your shaving water’s ready.” —THE RAVEN.