A MATCH FOR HECKLERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19156, 23 October 1925, Page 13

A MATCH FOR HECKLERS

MISS MELVILLE'S MEETING. CRITICISM OF SOCIALISTS. SOME IDIOTIC INTERRUPTERS. An intermittent storm of discordant voices which had its centre in an opposition section at the back of the hall was most successfully weathered by Miss Ellen Melville, Government candidate for Grey Lynn, at a meeting in the Grey Lynn Public Library last evening. Never before had the lecture hall seen such a crowd. People crammed on to the platform and stood round the sides. Over 100, who were unable to gain admittance, were con-tented to stand in the vestibule and round the doorway. On the whole the audience was a goodtempered one and when at times anyone became objectionable he was howled down by those in front. The candidate was never ruffled even when half a dozen voices were firing absurd questions at her, and her composure and clear straight-for-ward answers baffled many hecklers. Mr. J. A. Warnock, deputy-Mayor, was iu the chair. Miss Melville fearlessly attacked the methods of what she termed the Socialist Party. In some respects their platform was more severe than the platforms of the Socialist parties of Australia and England. Their promises seemed to be impracticable, impossible and unworkable.

The candidate went on to say that the terms Tory and Conservative were out of date like crinoline. It, was a fight between democracy and socialism (Applause). " Talk politics," shouted someone from the back of the hall.

" You do not know politics when you hear them," retorted Miss Melville. " Mr. Holland once said he was prepared to take, the brand of a revolutionary socialist," continued the candidate. A Voice: So he should. " Put him out; put him out," demanded several people. " The Labour Party is now repenting some of its frankness and shifting," said Miss Melville.

The candidate went on to talk about the Socialist Party and its faults and when she said she would get on to something else there were cheers from the Labour element.

" Yes, I expect you are glad 1 am leaving it," she. said. " You have heard such a lot about it that its faults are beginning to sink in." (Applause). At this stage the meeting was interrupted with cheers for Labour, immediately followed by cheers for Miss Melville. When the candidate continued to speak again she was interrupted by someone on the platform. " You be quiet or get out of here," said Miss Melville. " This is my platform and you are only on it by courtesy." After that there was no further disturbance from this quarter. After Miss Melville had reviewed the work done by the Government, a Labour supporter said it was "all bosh.' " If you think so, you can get another hall and tell your friends about it," retorted Miss Melville. The man evidently thought so too, for he was not heard again. There was complete silence as Miss Melville alluded to the Dominion's fine system of education. " You have nothing to say about that," she added. " Three measures brought in by Conservative Governments are free education, one man one vote, and women s franchise." said Miss Melville. A Voice: That is wrong. Miss Melville: I wish some of you had taken more advantage of the free education. (Laughter.) Miss Melville reviewed the work done by the Health Department, and went on to State advances. She referred to the advantages of the system. It was obvious at this stage that the hecklers were unable to pierce Miss Melville's armour, and they resorted to idiotic interruptions. When question time came everybody wanted to ask questions at once, but the chairman soon restored order. One man stood up and shouted something at the candidate in a thick voice. " I am not going to answer a man who talks to me like that," said Miss Melville amid applause. • Many of the questions were absurd. At the conclusion of the meeting Miss Melville was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Cheers were also given. The Labour element gave cheers for the Labour candidate. ST. HELENS HOSPITALS. OPPOSITION TO TRANSFER. MR. MORTON'S CRITICISM. An attentive and enthusiastic gathering was addressed by Mr. F. S. Morton, National candidate for Auckland Central, in Epiphany Hall, Newton, last evening. Mr. E. Leydon presided. Mr. Morton criticised the proposal to place the St. Helens Maternity Hospitals under the care of hospital boards, as this would result in their being run for profit. He also criticised the conditions under which nurses were asked to work. At the conclusion of the address the following resolution was carried unanimously " That this meeting thanks Mr. Morton for bringing the position of the St. Helens Hospitals before the public, and that the Department of .Health be called upon to remedy the existing unsatisfactory conditions, and that provision should be made for the conveyance of the nurses to their cases with the least possible dalay."