HON. R. F. BOLLARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19615, 20 October 1925, Page 10

HON. R. F. BOLLARD.

HOSTILE MINERS. BITTER ATTACK ON MINISTER. (From Odh Own CopjßE'spondent.) AUCKLAND. October 19. Rarely lias a candidate for Parliament been attacked so bitterly by a member of his audience as «’as the Hon. R. F. Bollard at the Pukomiro mining township on Saturday evening. In his excitement as an opponent of the present Government, and of Mr Bollard, the secretary of the. local Minors’ Union. Mr Robinson, who described the Government as the Tory Government, said: “I would shoot them and him,” The audience, a fairly large one, was. with the exception of three or four women, entirely' composed of miners. They gave Mr Bollard an attentive hearing throughout his speech. A number of questions were put to the candidate and replied to. Then the chairman asked if the meeting had a motion to' move, and immediately the secretary of the local Miners’ Union rose and said: “I move that we have no ■confidence in the Government or in Mr Bollard as our member.” In excited tones tire speaker added: “Who could vote for a Government that is murdering thousands and millions of men, women, and children. To hell with them. I would shoot them and him.”

The Chairman (springing to his feet): Mr Robinson, I ask you to withdraw those remarks.

A man sitting to the right of the offending speaker pulled at the latter’s coat, but, not heeding him,’ he said: ‘T want Mr Bollard to reply to my question.” Mr Bollard: After your insulting remarks I decline to answer any further questions from you. The Chairman (severely): Mr Robinson. I ask you to withdraw those words. 1 cannot allow such words. Mr. Robinson: A Government that——

The Chairman: You must withdraw. Mr Robinson, after a few more references to the Government, moved —‘‘That this meeting has no confidence in the Tory Government or in Mr Bollard as a candidate.”

The motion being seconded, the chairman put it to tho meeting, asking for a show of hands. About a dozen wore put up m support, and seven or eight against it. The chairman declared the motion carried. Mr Bollard: I thank you for listening to my address. As for the motion you have passed, it is what I expected from such bitter opponents of’ a Government which believes in free speech and liberty, law, and order. —(Applause.)