IS IT MOB RULE?

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 281, 26 November 1931, Page 15

IS IT MOB RULE?

Mr Forbes Assails Rowdyism at Meetings. WILL SPEAK IN NORTH. (Special to the “Star.’-) WELLINGTON, November 26. Organised interruption of political meetings was an indication of the type of government Labour would give New Zealand, declared the Prime Minister, Mr Forbes when interviewed m Wellington yesterday. Labour's policy, he said, would be dictated by mob rule. The Prime Minister after a busy day in the office, followed by a meeting of the Executive Council, left by the limited express for Marton, and thence for a Taranaki tour. He expressed satisfaction at the progress of events, particularly the decision of Mr Black to retire from the Dunedin North fight, leaving a cleatissue between the Coalition and Labour candidates. Public Spirit. “ This,” said Mr Forbes, “ is another excellent indication, not only of Mr Black’s public spirit, but the growing realisation of the people as a whole that, as the issues of the election are made clear to them, there is no question of party involved among those who stand for keeping New Zealand on a solid basis. “ I think,” he added, “ that organised interruption by the Coalition opponents is serving to demonstrate that Labour is not delivering the goods, and that Labour knows it. “ So far as I can judge, these rowdy demonstrations at opponents’ meetings show anxiety over the situation. Even old Labour campaigners are showing, by their nervousness, that they are not at all certain of what December 2 has in store for them. The jauntiness and confidence of past elections is absent. Instead, we find anger and strenuous efforts on the part of their friends to prevent the statement Of the case against the unsoundness of the Labour policy. Specious Suggestions.

“It is difficult to understand that men with a knowledge of governmental affairs could be capable of putting forward such speetops suggestions. The Labour Party is doing its utmost to coin advantage out of the alleged discontent in the public service, but there, again, they misjudge the position, for every public officer realises the security which the Coalition Government’s sound finance gives to him. While a Labour Government might undertake to restore the Cuts, the public servants would have grave anxiety at the end of every month, and a majority of them would prefer to have the reduced salary rather than run the risk of no salary at all.” Christchurch Meeting. The Prime Minister detailed, laughingly, some incidents at his Christchurch meeting, and drew a consoling moral to the Coalition prospects from the Labour exhibition.

“ No, the interrupters do not upset me,” he replied to a question. “The only difference one finds in such a meeting is that the points have to be made with promptitude, and slogged home. There is qq time for careful elaboration and, perhaps, after all, that might greatly improve a speech.” Mr Forbes will return to Wellington on Friday, and, in the evening, will speak at Lower Hutt. Mr Forbes will also address meetings at Otaki, on Saturday, and at Auckland on Monday. He will be in Wellington on election night. _