Thrown Into Street By Enraged Party Executive

NZ Truth, Issue 1232, 11 July 1929, Page 1

Thrown Into Street By Enraged Party Executive

WHEN, at last election, a politically dyspeptic country rejected completely the Coatesian roast beef and horse-radish sauce, and chose to toy with Sir Joseph's kidney pie with gilded crust, with side glances towards Labor's raspberry ■ tart and sauce Hollandaise, the party kitchens were thrown into a state of feverishness and the political hot-pots are being kept simmering m case an early election is called for. With Sir Joseph installed as chef, the United Party has been at pains to organise the various kitchen staffs, so to speak, just m case the people, not that they are expected to do so, should reject the offerings after the Prime Minister has completely revealed his sessional menu. viJJL tne l course of this policy a great Disorderly Row endeavor is being made to bring the organisation of the various branches up to the efficiency point, and the organisers, secretaries, king-makers, canvassers and others have set to with a will. :'.. In one case, however — that of the Auckland branch, report has it— there has been a row m the. kitchen, and one of the second-cooks, not approving of the way • the .loaves, and fishes were being apportioned, so far forgot himself as to lay violent hands on the persons of the presiding culinary artists •to empty them out of their own kitchen m amost undignified, not to mention arbitrary, manner. . At least, that is the story as related to "Truth," and on which the man him-

UNITED UNITY JARRED BY KAY 0

Impromptu Sparring Bout Ruffled Serenity At Smart Political Function

STRUCK ON JAW IN FRONT OF SIR JOSEPH

(From N.Z. "Truth's" Special Commissioner) Did a prominent member of the United Party Auckland Executive and Finance Committee strike one of the organisers on the jaw, at the functiqn tendered to Sir Joseph Ward held m the City recently? Is it true that the same individual threw four prominent officials of the party out of their office into Swanson Street? These are questions that can only be answered by the people concerned but "N.Z. Truth" gives the story as it has heard it and throws some interesting light on recent political activities.

self has given testimony to more than one person. It is stated that the trouble started when Sir Joseph Ward and a retinue of Cabinet Ministers and , other supporters arrived m Auckland recently. The loyal followers of the party m the northern capital gathered round enthusiastically and did the honors at a banquet held m the spacious tea-room of a noted city establishment. At the outset, some little annoyance gnawed 'at the breast of the person, who takes the leading part m this narrative on account of the fact that he, with other supporters of the Party who hadj^ftnJ^ifeu.tjßd, without stint financially and otherwise to the victory at the poll, experienced difficulty m getting seats, whilst paid officials were able to pick the choicest without let or hindrance. • * One youthful organiser escorted a couple of lady friends m after the show hadopened and secured for them prized places without difficulty. Later, the loyal supporter was approached by a friend who wished to be introduced to the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy. To be sure, nothing could be easier, and the supporter proceeded to make his way across to where the Minister was seated, when he was confronted by another paid official of the Party,, who tried to make him step back. Now the individual m question is not to be easily turned back when he, has set out to accomplish something. An ai'gument ensued, and his fighting blood mounted with a rush. • Sud-

denly he released his pent-up feelings by placing a hefty blow, a la Tom Heeney, on the official jaw. |, Now this, "Truth" regrets to say, is reported to have happened right m. front of the Prime Minister, so it can well be imagined that early and effective steps were taken to quell the disturbance that had suddenly marred the harmony of the gathering. " A prominent Auckland official, took the matter m hand, and long into the night, it is said, he wrestled with the political devil that had entered into the other's complex. ,If so, his efforts were m vain, for "Truth" is reliably informed that next day the wrathful one descended* on the Auckland Branch of the Party, , which is situated m Swanson Street, m none too good a mood. He was by no means cheered by encountering the official ,who was the cause of the trouble. The latter, however, was not looking for fight. He is no disciple of the Marquis 'of Queensberry (political, not pugilistic, ambitions are his guiding lights), so by the use of unctuous and soothing words he sought to dissipate the winter of the other's discontent and turn it into glorious summer. This was not to be, however, and, it is stated, the argument culminated m the official being chased out into the street by the wrathful individual. Such a state of affairs, of course, balled for /immediate steps, and the heavy artillery of the organising staff went into* "action as one man m a

Peace Overtures

valiant effort to restore peace and harmony. Alack and alas, the brilliant organising ability that has brought a country,to reason and is said to be at once the terror and hope of political parties, was impotent before the wrath of one angry man, and it was not long before three more organisers, men who are used to hobnobbing with Cabinet Ministers and who serve at the thrones of the mighty, had been emptied out of their own office m a most undignified manner, the aggressor being left m charge of the fort. That is the story as related to "Truth." However, so the , narrative goes, ..the organisers dispossessed of their office had recourse to the telephone, and an urgent ring brought the president of the Auckland branch hurrying to the scene of battle. Now, the latter is a very worthy man and is held m high respect by the man who was causing the disturbance. His intervention succeeded to a certain extent m calming matters down. This, however, "Truth" is informed, was not the. end of the trouble. The matter was by no means disposed of, for the aggressive member is no small potatoes m the Auckland branch of the Party. - ' As well as being a member of the executive, he is also a leading light on the Finance Committee, which secures and administers the sinews of war. A meeting- was called for the following Saturday afternoon, when it

was hoped that everything would have calmed down. A telephone discussion revealed that such was by no means the case and that the angry one was coming to the meeting intent on . having a show-down on the scene at the official function, and also having the matter of the salary that was being paid to one of the branch organisers discussed. Being a member of the Finance Committee, he professed himself as being by no means satisfied as to the way things were being handled. He, It is stated, had put £500 into the party coffers for the election campaign, and he is desirous of getting this back." ' ' -.- +j.; . .-.h.^ The proposed meeting was not held, and whether or not one has been held since "TVuth" is not aware, except that, if it has, this paper is informed, the member m question has not been summoned to attend. All of which, if the allegations are correct, must put the officials, m a very difficult position, more especially as this paper is also informed that a donation of £1000 to the Party funds depends on the goodwill of the aggrieved member being restored. There the matter rests at the present time, and it can quite easily be understood that m view of the niceties and requirements of political diplomacy, if all this happened, as is alleged, it has' been regarded as a matter for secrecy more than publicity, Party organs, though ready enough to broadcast other less important matter, have been silent on this. • In the course of the investiga-

tions that brought the affair- under "Truth's" attention, the representative of this paper came across some very interesting information regarding the inner workings of some political parties regarding the financing of election campaigns. It was alleged that the amount of expense incurred on behalf of each United man, with the exception of one, so far as Auckland city is concerned, amounted to £250, and the Party was able to meet this out of funds. This surely will be regarded as a substantial amount for any candidate to incur, and the Party could not, be accused of parsimony. Imagine, therefore, how- the Finance. Committee must have' sat up and ■"•''■••-•■ , ■ _ y • ■ Election "Exes" gasped, when, as is alleged, it received a bill from one of its candidates for. a little matter of £700. The bill is said to have included such choice items as taxi rides, afternoon teas and refreshments for supporters of the Party, not only m the electorate, but m the city on election day. When the first gasp of astonishment . had subsided, members made a decision. To pay it? Well, hardly. They sent it back to the sender, but whether with or without, their compliments on his prodigious efforts m entertaining supporters, is not known. Readers may draw their own conclusions. " / MiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiHniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiii