NEW MOVEMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23521, 5 December 1939, Page 11

NEW MOVEMENT

REPLY TO CRITICISM ADMISSION BY TICKET ONLY ELIMINATION OF HECKLING [JIY TELEGRAM —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Monday Tlio conveners of the meeting which was the subject of the Hon. W. Nash's comments on Saturday state that Mr. Nash was apparently concerned that anyone should liavo the temerity to call ft meeting; of people really concerned •at the serious economic and political drift which was responsible for the doubt, apprehension and fear abroad in the community to-day. Surely this was a matter which concerned the people, and one which they were free to consider in their own way, providing they strictly observed the laws of the country. The stupid heckling and rowdyism, which had been so popular in recent years at public meetings, wits the reason for admission by ticket.

"By continuing the system thousands of people will attend our future meetings, and while the committee appreciates the value of public meetings, the ticket system seems to be tho only one possible to secure to speakers a reasonable hearing.

"Straight talking and not pin-prick-ing was the order of tho day for speakers at tho meeting, and an appeal from tho chair for employers to retain their stall's, even at a sacrifice, received tho endorsement of the meeting. This surely could not bo considered an attempt to embarrass tho Government."

Commenting in ironic A'ein on the "new movement of the people" and its first manifestation in Wellington in a meeting last Tuesday night, the Ministor of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, in a statement on Saturday, said his objectives and the declared objectives or the unseen organisers had so much in common that ho wondered why lie did not receive one of tho prized invitations to attend. The Minister scoffed at the meeting being held by invitation and wondered if the audience "really represented every class of the community." If so, "why tho necessity for invitations? lie asked.