ENDURANCE TEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20087, 26 October 1928, Page 16

ENDURANCE TEST.

MR. BUNN UNDAUNTED

NOISY ELEMENT OVERCOME

CANDIDATE'S WAR SERVICE

Many interruptions by Labour supporters and much noise prevailed at the meeting addressed by Mr. Bertram Burin, Reform candidates for Manukau, at Onehunga lust evening. Although he had to endure a good deal of rudeness, the candidate never lost his temper, and toward the end Oi a fighting speech was given n fairly good hearing. A vote of thanks was not opposed, the noisy section contenting themselves with giving loud cheers for Labour as the meeting broke up. Mr. <T. Park, who presided in the absotico of the Mayor of Onehuriga, took a strong line with the interrupters. Onco ho threatened to havo a man removed, but this proved to lie unnecessary. Tho trouble began when tho candidate referred to the Labour Party's policy which, he said, was summed up in tho words "tho socialisation of tho means <>f production, distribution and exchange." "That is no policy, but a fallacy," ho declared.

"Liar!" shouted a man with a strong Scots accent. "Liar!" Tho chairman rose at this. "To tho man using unparliamentary language —" ho began, but his words were drowned in uproar and cries to " Sit down."

" 1 am conducting this meeting," dn clared Mr. Park, when a lull occurred "The man who has paid for tho hiro oi this hall is entitled to a hearing." Labour Losing Votes.

A Voice: Take your hands out of your pockets. Mr. Park: If I took my hands out of my pockets and camo at you, that would bo the end of you.

This drew much laughter, and com-, parativo quiet was restored. Ihe candidate was allowed to continue under a running fire of remarks which seemed to amuse the back rows a great deal, but were inaudible at tho front. ' I have got vou in a good humour," Mr. Bunn remarked, " I am in a good humour myself." More disturbances occurred when the candidate was speaking about unemployment relief. The Scotsman again made himself prominent by ejaculating, " Tell the truth," at intervals. Mr. Bunn: If I offered you men a decent section you would not know how to farm it. The Scotsman: Give me 50 acres and 1 will. , More cries of " sit down " greeted tho chairman when ho rose and appealed for order. " I will take no uncertain way with you," he declared, "If I have to clear three parts of the hall I will do it. A Voice: Talk truth! " Tho more tho rowdy element in this room speaks against me, tho more votes will go over to Reform," said Sir. Bunn. " There was organised rowdyism at my meeting at Ellerslie on Tuesday, I will bet I get a fiftv-fifty vote there.' A Voicb: Not in Onehunga. More noise occurred later, and tho chairman, addressing the Scotsman, threatened to have him put out. there was further uproar, which led to some lively exchanges, and a man stood up and claimed the candidate had insulted him. " Common, Ordinary Digger." The Chairman: You can come up here later on and make the speech of your life. . , Mr Bunn: There has been an organised attempt to stop me from speaking, but 1 will be master of the situation oil November 14. (Loud dissent.) A Voice: Did you go to the war? Mr. Park: There is one thing Mr. Bunn did not tell you—that he was a soldier who fought and bled for his country. The Scotsman: He has got you to lookafter him.

Mr. Park: Thank God I do not have to look after you. The Scotsman: Thank God I do not have to look after you. A Voice (to Mr. Bunn): Go for your life, corporal! Mr. Bunn: It is quite right. I was riot a captain or a major, hut a common, ordinary digger. A dozen it)en in tins hall knew me. I ask tliern if I did not play the game. (Applause.) From I his point onward the candidate received a better hearing. He had 0110 more passage-at-arms with the Scotsman, and incidentally offered to pay the hitter's fare hy the next boat leaving New Zealand.

The chairman rose once more and quoted a remark made to him by the sitting member, Mi l Jordan, that a political candidate was always assured of a hearing at Onehunga "I know the present member would bo a sorry man if he were in this audience to night," he concluded.

The candidate answered a number of questions. A vote of thanks was moved by Mr. W. N. Mcintosh and seconded by Mr. 11. Murdoch. Mr. Murdoch caused another outburst by referring to the right of free speech and rebuking tho noisemakers. The motion was carried by acclamation

GOVERNMENT BY CAUCUS. EXAMPLE OF LABOUR RULE. EXPERIENCE IN CITY COUNCIL. Laboui members arc m a majority on (he Christchureh City Council. In a speech this week, Mr. J. W. IJeanland. 1> .form candidate for Lyttelton. described their methods of conducting municipal affairs as a foretaste of Labour rule, "The Labour Party has levelled a good deal of criticism at the Reform Government. on account of its doing so much business by Orders in Council, he said I have had a good deal of experience on (he Christchureh City Council, but. I have never known a city council conducted in siieli an unbusinesslike manner as Iho present, council. "All queslions for consideration by Ihe council are. settled prior to the council meeting bv the Labour caucus, and thendecisions arc simply carried bv the steam roller method which they adopt I'll,, result is (hat the opposition mem I,els have no chance of conducting Hie business on recognised municipal lines When we realise thai questions coming before Ihe council for consideration have alrciidv been decided and in some cases, work - has actually been carried out be fore tenders have been accepted. it makes one lose faith in Ihe honesty of purpose of Laboui leaders. 'I am in a position to know th"se tilings, and I sav without hesitation that if ihe Laboui I'arly captured the Government of thi. 1 - • country, the same state of affairs would exist in regard to our national government as exists on the Christchureh City Council to-day."

OFFER FROM COMMUNISTS. REJECTION BY LABOUR. Mr. .1. W. Yarnall, I.about candid.",te for Paruell, addressed a meeting ol over 100 electors in Ihe Paruell Library Hall last- evening. Mr. (!. G. Grant, presided. Iho candidate criticised the Govern merit and dealt with the relation of Communism and Labour. He stated that his party had recently refused an ollicial offer Ironi the Communists to help Labour at this election. Ibe speaker was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.