“POLITICAL TALKIE”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17640, 2 December 1931, Page 4

“POLITICAL TALKIE”

CUE TAIN RUNG DOWN DECIDING THE NEXT CAST MR. doLA CTO HR ’S FINAL APPEAL “To-night rings down the curtain of wlmi might ho called the 'political talkie,” remarked the deputy-Alayor, Mr. H. K. Maude, who presided last, evening at. the political meeting in the Opera House, where Mr. 11. I). deLautour, unollieial Coalitionist for the Gisborne seat, made his Jinal appeal to the electors. Mr. Maude added that on the morrow the electors had to decide whether the next cast would be an all-star one, one of second raters, or a company of “dads.” He urged that, in easting their votes, that electors should forget personal feelings in making their choice. Before they left the meeting, and cast the die on the morrow by drawing a pencil through unwanted names, he wished them to remember his advice, so that, if they found afterwards they were disillusioned, they would be able to say that, at jeast, they had done their best. The early part of the meeting was particularly quiet, and when Mr. do Lautour rose Vo speak only about 150 people were present. Numbers drifted in after that, however, and with them apparently came some of the opposing element, for interjections commenced about half-an-hour after the start. Mr. deLautour dealt with them neatly. The gathering had grown to more than twice the original number at the close, when a vote of thanks was accorded the candidate.

Attacking the policies of his .opponents, Mr. deLautour denounced Socialism. There may come a day when moderate Labor would come into power, he said. He had no objection to that, but was opposed to Socialism. Mr. Lysnar was wrong, Mr. deLautour added, when ho said that the Gisborne railway was stopped by Messrs. Williams and Co., but Mr. do Lautour claimed that Mr. Williams had done 500 times —5000 timesI—more 1 —more than Mrr. Lysnar for the railway. The action of Mr. Williams in bringing the members of Parliament to the district was responsible for outside members holding a high opinion of Gisborne’s j claims for a railway. Mr. Coates started the railway, and had it not, boon for Mr. Lysnar, the railway would have been conpletcd. The candidate referred also to the Labor claims that the party would complete the line. What could Mr. Coleman do? A voice; Billy’s slipping, Harry. Mr. doLantour: He’s slipping all right. He’ll be well spilled by tomorrow. j There were some interjections when the candidate referred to the wages cuts. lie replied to one that he was supporting the parties who had made i the cut, and ho would toll them why. j “You and Mr Lysnar are in the same boat,” called an intcrjoctor. ! “The boat would sink pretty quick- ■ ly,” retorted Mr. deLautour, “if T were in it with Mr. Lysnar; I’d got out and swim for it. (Laughter.) Reference was made by Mr. deLautour to the state of the country that required remedying. “That’s your Government,” called an intcrjoctor.

“All parties are responsible for it,” replied Mr. doLnutour. “hut particularly the Labor Party (applause), liecause it was the Labor Party which insisted that the maximum wage should hr the minimum.” “You could not earn nine bob a day,” said another intcrjector. “It would take more than that In keep you in booze by the sound of your voice,” returned the candidate, who then returned, to hits notes. “Hurry up,” called someone, “Lysnar’s mob will be here in a minute.” “I hope, they will,” replied the candidate. • Mr. doLnutour suffered a number of interruptions when he was explaining n scheme he had for land settlement on the flats. Some declared their inability to understand how the matter was to bo financed, but the candidate retorted: “I expected anv_ sensible man to understand it, but I did not expect you to.” At the conclusion, the candidate was accorded a most hearty vote of thanks, on the motion of the chairman, the audience carrying it with loud applause. The chairman was similarly honored.