CHATTY CHAIRMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 511, 14 November 1928, Page 11

CHATTY CHAIRMAN

AUDIENCE BECOMES RESTLESS BOUQUET FOR MRS. DONALD “Sit down!” “What about Donald?’’ At the end of half an hour the audience which had gathered in the Scots Hall last evening gave Dr. W. H. Horton scant attention. He was presiding over the final meeting of the United Party’s candidate for Auckland East, Mr. J. B. Donald. The doctor had dealt fairly fully with the shortcomings of the Government, the hopes of the United Party, and was just beginning to deliver himself of some criticism of the Labour Party when a minor storm broke. “Let’s have Donald.” “What about hearing Donald?” Stamping of feet and clapping of hands. Dr. Horton did the only thing possible—he stopped and sat down. It was a crowded, enthusiastic and very orderly meeting, beginning with “God Save the King” and ending in continued applause for the candidate. There was not an interruption from the crowded hall —except to agree with Mr. Donald and the views of his party. In his opening remarks Dr. Horton said that Mrs. Donald, who had not enjoyed good health, was able to be present and, on behalf of the women electors of Auckland East, she was presented with a magnificent bouquet. The chairman also read out a number of congratulatory telegrams which had been sent to Mr. Donald from well-wishers in all pax*ts of the Dominion. The candidate was most appreciative of the attentive hearing he had received from the Labour members of the audience, and he thanked them for their courtesy. A Voice: You deserve it. Mr. Donald continued that he had tried to keep the campaign free from abuse and personalities. He was sorry that the newspapers of Auckland, one of them in particular, had not been fair. The newspapers, he thought, should be above reproach in this respect.