CANDIDATE UNDER FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21037, 23 November 1931, Page 11

CANDIDATE UNDER FIRE

ORGANISED OBSTRUCTION. HECKLED AND THEN CHEERED. CAMPAIGN OF MR. MUNNS. Organised obstruction was again met with by Mr. G. C. Munns, Coalition candidate for Roskill, on Saturday evening when he addressed an open-air meeting on the Prince of Wales Estate, Mount Albert. About 100 people were present and it was evident at an early stage that a small section, which Mr. Munns said he had seen before, had attended with a mission. For the most part, however, the interjections were of a good-humoured nature and the meeting closed with cheers for the candidate. The first interruption occurred when Mr. Munns was dealing with the establishment of dental clinics in the electorate. The district, he said, was now well equipped with these facilities. A Voice: Yes, and we have to pay for them, too. • Mr. Munns: And how much does it

cost you ? The Interjector: Half a crown a year. It costs me 5s for my two kiddies. Mr. Munns: Well, you can hardly call that an excessive amount. It is surely worth it to ensure that your children have healthy teeth. The Interjector: Give us a decent wage so that we will be able to afford it, then. Proceeding, the candidate mentioned the possibilities offering in respect of the development of industrial enterprise and enumerated various avenues which would lead to increased employment. "Not one cake of soap should be imported into New Zealand," he declared. "Every piece used should be made iu the country." A Voice: And soft soap? Mr. Munns: Yes, soft soap too. "Do you consider it a fair thing for relief workers to have to pay the quarterly unemployment tax of 5s ?" the candidate was asked at a later stage. Mr. Munns: No, I do not. A reduction of 5s from the beggarly sum they receive seems to be rather harsh treatment. The Interjector: But you voted for it. Mr. Munns: Yes, I voted for it, but if I were to have my vote over again I think I should cast it differently. A man who had been one of the most persistent of the hecklers moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Munns. "I must say," he remarked, "that the candidate has elucidated many points on which I wanted enlightenment—" Mr. Munns: You're a sport. The Heckler: But I am not in agreement with many of his views, so I must add a clause of no-confidence. (Laughter.) Mr. Munns: Not so sporty. The chairman refused to accept an amendment expressing confidence in the candidate, stating that it was a direct negative. Support for the motion wps strong, but the opponents of it expressed themselves more definitely. The chairman omitted to declare his decision, but Mr. Munns returned thanks for "one of the best votes he had yet received" and was cheered before the crowd dispersed.

MANUKATJ CONTEST. MR. RICKARDS AT PANMURE. An orderly tone prevailed at the meeting addressed by Mr. S. Rickards, Coalition candidate for Manukau, at Panmure on Saturday evening. Although the candidate was subjected to a certain amount of heckling, there was no disorder. Criticism of the Labour Party invariably was resented by a small section of the gathering. Mr. G. Turton presided. At the conclusion of the meeting a, vote of thanks was passed without dissent. COALITION IN RAGLAN. MR. REID'S CAMPAIGN. [FROM OrR OWN* CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Sunday. Enthusiastic receptions were' accorded Mr. Stewart Reid, Coalition candidate for Raglan, at Paterangi and Pirongia on Friday and Saturday evenings respectively. The audiences included electors among whom Mr! Reid has lived for many years. Mr. Reid said he was pleased to see so many women and young electors present at- his meetings. The future of the country rested in the hands of the young voters, ana in the interest they showed in maintaining sound and safe government. Mr. Reid said farming was the most important calling in the country, and, if elected, he would do all ha could to see that fanning was made'attractive enough to induce more young men to take up the land. At the close of each address votes of thanks and confidence were carried enthusiastically.