INTERJECTOR ON STAGE

Northern Advocate, 23 November 1935, Page 7

INTERJECTOR ON STAGE

SCENE WITH MAYOR UNUSUAL CONDUCT QUESTIONNAIRE FROM UNEMPLOYED rpHE huge crowd which gathered at the Town Hall last night easily outnumbered any attendance which wrestling has drawn in Whangarei.

Many of those present, no doubt, had never attended a tussle between professional matmen, hut some who had, probably imagined for a few minutes that they were about to witness a match of a unique character.

The principals were the Mayor and the secretary of the Whangarei branch of the Unemployed Relief Workers’ Association. It was a case of the referee, in the course of his duty, becoming involved with a spectator, while the champion, Mr A. J. Murdoch, M.P., sat in his chair and, for once, became an onlooker.

It was obvious throughout Mr Murdoch’s address that there was something like organised barracking by a section o'f unemployed. On several occasions, Mr W. Jones, who presided, made futile efforts to intervene, but finally took strong measures. “Now, Jack,” he said to a persistent interjector, “I’m going to warn you. I have - worked for years with you at meetings, and have never worked with a better man. Tonight, you’ve gone a bit over the odds. If you have a goat him (referring to Mr Murdoch) let me alone.” The Climax. , Things became a little quieter after this, and it was not necessary for the Mayor'to leave his seat until the disorderly occurrence which terminated question time. This climax came when Mr Murdoch was pressed to answer a sheaf of questions which he described as “a book,” and whiclj had been handed to him by Mr J. Hamblyn, secretary of the Whangarei branch of the Unemployed Workers’ Association.

Mr Murdoch: “There are eleven questions here, and I think it would be better if you waited upon me as a deputation.”

Mr Hamblyn (who had left his seat, in the hall and was standing at the foot of the steps leading to the stage); “They are official questions, and as secretary of the branch, I demand that they be answered here tonight.

Mr Murdoch: “I would like a little time—” Mr Hamblyn: “A copy was posted to you three weeks Mr Johns said he would not answer anything through the post.” Mr Murdoch: “It is the first I have seen of them.” On the Platform. Throwing his arms about, Mr Ham-blyn-then mounted the platform, and as he did so the chairman left his seat and attempted to block his passage. Both did a little gentle body pushing, but fortunately they were good humoured about it, although Mr Hamblyn had an intent look on his face. The Mayor finally gave ground, and Mr Hamblyn strode across to where Mr Murdoch was sitting at the table. The crowd meanwhile was in high good humour, treating the incident as an unexpected addition to the entertainment, cheering and laughing while the fun was on.

After a short conversation with Mr Murdoch, Mr Hamblyn advanced to the footlights, standing at one side of the table, with the Mayor at the other, and both endeavouring to address the people. “I warned you,” the Mayor- was heard to remark in'a quiet voice. Mr Hamblyn got as far as announcing “Ladies and gentlemen” a couple of times, but the public demonstrated that they were not keen to hear him. ! “Come down, Jack. You’re only one of the unemployed,” called a comrade. Hereupon, Mr Hamblyn left the ring. Replies in Writing. The Mayor: “I think the audience will agree with me that when 11 questions are dropped on the table it is not, a fair thing to ask the candidate to answer them immediately” (Loud applause) . Mr Murdoch: “You will have the replies in writing on Monday morning,” Mr R. Welham, the president of the local branch of the Unemployed Workers’ Association, then rose in his seat and attempted to address the meeting, which, by now, was becoming a little wearied by the whole affair, and showed it. When a motion of thanks to the candidate was moved; there was a great

clamour from a section of the audience, and someone who had been one of the disturbers of the peace, complained that he could not hear what was being saidA rich Scotch voice suggested that if the people at the back kept their feet still, it would be possible to hear all right, a remark which was borne out by events. The motion was then put, and the, meeting terminated in orderly«>fashion. - ;