THE POLITICAL GADFLY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8737, 20 May 1914, Page 8

THE POLITICAL GADFLY

UNWANTED IN WANGANUI MR PIRANI’S SPEECH PROVES DISMIL FAILURE. STONE-AGE IDEAS REJECTED. Special to the “ Times.” WANGANUI, May 19. The fact that tho Opera House was filled last night on tho occasion of Air Fred Pirani’s speech in reply to Sir Joseph Ward appears to have pleased tho “Reform” party, but the fact is that many went in anticipation of seeing some fun, and a good deal was provided. The reception accorded Air Pirani was anything but encouraging to the candidate, but it was just about what could have been expected from a Liberal stronghold such as Wanganui has always been. “ BACK TO THE STONE AGE.”

Throughout his speech Mr Pirani’s lame attempts to make points against Sir Joseph Ward gave rise to a deal of good-humoured opposition, and his frequent dives into ancient history in his self-imposed task grew very wearisome to the audience. He was frequently reminded that he was going back to the Stone Age, and that he ought to try to bring himself up to date.

One interjector put it very neatly when he remarked: “You have been out of politics so long you won’t know which side you are on.” Throughout his speech Mr Pirani was subjected to a running fire of interjection, but the climax came when , he touched on the strike. He declared that every man must admire the action the Government had taken—a. remark which met with a perfect storm of booh-ing, which was renewed at the mention of Mr Massey’s name. Mr Pirani proceeded to call the strikers “a lot of curs,” but the uproar which followed this evidently convinced the speaker that he would bo wise to leave the strike alone. “RATS” AND THE NAVY.

When he was criticising Sir Joseph Ward’s remarks regarding the naval question, Mr Pirani said that Mr Myers was in favour of the Government’s proposal, and that the majority of the members of Parliament were, because the bill passed with a majority of seventeen. This, Mr Pirani contended, was proof that Parliament was in favour of the proposals. A voice: ‘ ‘ That was because of the rats I” Mr Pirani; “The rats are not on the Government sic Te. You know some better than I do.” Cries of “No! No!” and “Same game as you are.” A TORTUOUS PASSAGE. Referring to old age pensions, Mr Pirani commenced to quote the Liberal M.P.’s who voted against the second reading in 189 S. “ Give us fife voting on the third reading?” came in loud tones from the hall.

Mr Pirani evidently did not like this, as he replied that he was going to get on in his own way. “There is not a man in New Zealand who can dictate to me how I will go,” he concluded. Reverting to pensions, he said he was tired of going over old history, but “Go on, you twister!” cam© from another part of the hall. CHEAP MONEY. “ I will now deal with cheap money,” said the speaker. “That is what Sir-Joseph Ward gave us,” came an interjector. Mr Pirani: “He claimed the whole benefit of it in 1895.” ‘•Give ns 1914, not 1896,” was the cry that cut short the sentence. “ What is the story of the Advances to Settlers Department ?’ ’ asked Mr Pirani. “ Prosperity!” was the lightning-like reply from several 'parts of the hall. “In 1885 ” again essayed Mr Pirani. “ Back again in the Stone Age,” again came the voice from the body of the hall. Mr Pirani went into details concerning a conversation he had with the late Mr John Ballance over this measure. He claimed the credit of first expounding the proposals of this measure, and with first supplying them to the late Mr Seddon. BACKSLIDERS. "At the 1893 election I advocated the advances to settlers proposals.” “You have changed since then,” was a remark from the audience that was greeted with loud expressions of approval. “ I have not changed,” said Mr Pirani, “ but those who were associated with me then have gone back.” (Laughter.) “ It would be found.” he said, “that from beginning to end I voted on every Liberal measure brought down in the House. . . . That borrowing policy of the Ward Administration has been the disgrace of their dying days,” said Mr Pirani. “ They are not dead yet,” came the quick retort,' and one which was greeted with loud applause. EXPLOITS WITH THE GUILLOTINE. Mr Pirani devoted some little time to the “ guillotine,” more particularly Enumerating his own actions in connection with its application by him when h© was once asked to take temporarily the place of the Chairman of Committees during a stonewall. “I said when I was asked to take the chair that if 1 was left undisturbed for three hours -” “ You’d be asleep,” cam© the quick sally froth the hall, and again roars of laughter interrupted the speech. “ that I would end the stonewall in three hours, and I did by applying the guillotine,” continued the speaker when the noise had died away. “ One of the first men that I pulled up was Air Wilford.” “He will soon be here to settle yon,” remarked one of the audience. A QUESTION OF TRESPASS.

“ Any outside politician who trespasses on my preserve—and Wanganui is now my preserve—will get dealt with, and will probably get something bo won’t like to get,” replied the speaker. (Boohs and cries of “Do yon Ttve Sere?”) Mr Pirani: “ Your present member did not live here when he was elected.” Loud cries of “ Ho did.” Mr Pirani: “ Wot long, then. He did not live here as long as I did/’ “ Yon lived here too long/' was the final retort of the interjector, and it was a retort that had a very good reception. Mr Pirani concluded his reference -to

the paying for the Dreadnought by remarking that it was not the “ big man ” that the death duties tackled. They did something else with their money. “We don’t get any of it,” came from a voice from the audience. “ No,” replied -Mr Pirani. “ They leave their money to deserving ob--3 “ Then you won’t got any Parliamentary salary,” smartly retorted the interjector, amidst much laughter. A “RED FED.” POLICY. Air Pirani said that Air Veitch had pledged himself to vote for Air Massey against Sir Joseph Ward, but he was now pledging himself to vote for Sir Joseph Ward. A voice: “ Since he’s met Alassey he knows who’s best.” When Air Pirani was enunciating his own policy he was interrupted by the cry: “ Why, you are a Red Fed. What will Bill Alassey say when he reads this?” At tho conclusion of a two-hour speech a vote of thanks was proposed to Air Pirani, hut the “ Noes ” appeared to outnumber the “ Ayes, and the meeting concluded with three hearty cheers for Air Veitch. Air Pirani’s attempt to reply to Sir Joseph Ward was a dismal failure, and his reception was in marked contrast to that given to the leader of the Opposition, who had his audience wdtb him, while Air Pirani and his friends must have felt very disappointed at tho total absence of enthusiasm displayed on behalf of the “ Reform candidate.