WAS THERE ANYTHING WRONG?

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 290, 28 November 1911, Page 4

WAS THERE ANYTHING WRONG?

Euom the stand point of < ieetioneering entertainment was there anything wrong with Mr. Brown's meeting last night ' No ’. The meeting did not. take the candidate seriously. But was there anything wrong in that ’ No ! There was almost a total absence of polities from the address, but was there anything wrong in that ? No . The electors did not expect polities. They attended in a good-natured spirit anticipating fun. and they were not disappoint* <l. Mr. John Higgins’ characteristic introduction started the train of merriment, and after a few pungent interjections from young gentlemen in the pit the meeting irrevocably launched itself upon a programme of elect ii.neering frolic. It was noticeable from the outset that a very large section of the audience was hostile. but whatever Mr. Brown’s political shortcomings may be he is not unpopular. He has a genial, sporting style which turns aside hard knocks, and a smile which rarfly deserts him in his hour of need. He faced interjections hist night with jiiuek ana good temper. Those who came to scoff ditl not exactly remain to pray, but those who came to seriously criticise remained to laugh. Hostility was swallowed up in humourous badinage and latterly when Mr. Brown put one of his masterly political conundrums, lie wa« accorded a rousing chorus answer from the auditorium. Bui we have to remember I hat polities is a serious game. A political address needs to be something better than a vaudeville entertainment. When it comes to the selection of a man to represent the people in Parliament, it is necessary to realise that “life is

real, life is earnest.’’ Laws arc not made in the music hall, nor taxes paid through the ticket office of the comic opera. Although the audience vias carried away last night by the spirit of the moment, we, nevertheless, believe there was no forgetfulness of responsibility. They laughed because they realised the utter futility of the candidate s political efforts. Nr. Brown cannot talk polities. He has never even seen in the dim shadowy distance the border line of political knowledge. His alleged speech consisted principally of prepared party platitudes ami figures which no one understood or wanted to hear. But was there anything wrong in that No 1 If Mr. Brown had not been provided with these bewildering division lists and statistical phenomena lie would not have bc'*n able to speak at all. Mas it wrong for him to parade in N.ipier an exhumed circular about the wages paid for relief works by the Atkinson Government when at Taradale he d’d not know that tlm Liberals voted with. Sir Harry on the occasion c.f ti>e crisi;- ' No! Of course it was not wrong, became Mr. Brown dor s nm know any bet 1 er. \\ ouhl he have ‘ ri pliedt t<> 31r. Massey without tlm oratorical machinery supplied him by a grateful party! No! Therefore do not blame Mr. Brown for bis speech last night. He did not make tlm speech it was made for him and cireumstam-es were- .against him. In Li:-; previous address be had L< en able lo speak freely of his acb ."erne pt g ’mt. however much he m.'iv prize the record of his dom'-mat labours, ii was not s-itc to try a repetition upon a -atiaterl electorate. Therefore he had to try and break new ground. He trieel bis best and failed. The audience cheered his disaster, but was there anything wrong in that ! No! It was. better Than taking it in disgusted silence. To face- a. hostile, rovvdy meeting such as last night’s Napier meeting iini dmibterlly was. needed courage and l good temper. These Mr. Brown showed he possessed. But to control ami bold sin h a meeting needed also p.dit ii-al grip .and outstanding aFelit.v. ami these factors the candidate was m : able to bring into play. The meeting laughed, cheered, hooted or applauded as the spirit moved it. and -.vs nt home vastly pleased with itself. Imt quite unimpressed by Mr. Brown. The biunour of the meeting was shown in the terminating stages when Mr. Dolan's i loquent appeal was In-.kiii into By cheers for Mr. Hili. Even Mr. S. Gai-nell. who has tlm tenacity of an octopus when a speech i- p<.--ible. was refused an oppnrtum'v t,> prolong the proceedings. Was there anything wrong in that ’ - No ’