“YOU ARE ENTITLED TO BE THE JUDGES.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 143, 18 June 1931, Page 5

“YOU ARE ENTITLED TO BE THE JUDGES.”

LIVELY QUESTIONING AT AUCKLAND DEPUTATION. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, June 17. There were lively scenes when the Hon W. A. Veitch addressed a deputation of Auckland unemployed from the balcony of the Central Hotel, 1000 men with banners marching to the front door. “ Will you give us an assurance that j’ou will do your best to restore'No. 5 scheme or,something similar?” asked one man. Mr Veitch: Absolutely. One of the crowd put a motion That the United Government had failed to carry out its contract.” The verdict was unanimous. A fresh speaker: Will you stand there and tell us the Government has not failed? Will you say to us that you have not lied to us? The Minister: I was promised by your representative that I -would receive a fair hearing. I will not be called a liar. The same speaker: But in plain, simple language that’s what you are, or your Government is. Another person raised the subject of the West Coast collieries. The crowd cheered him when he proclaimed that there was something behind the action of the Government in ordering coal from abroad when mines in the district were run by the Government. “ You thought that there would be a strike,” he challenged the Minister. “ There was no thought of that,” replied Mr Veitch. The crowd laughed. “ Well I understand the chairman has declared the meeting closed,” said Mr Veitch amidst cat calls. “ You are the judges and you are entitled to be the judges.” The crowd (as one man): We will be.