DICKIE'S WESTMERE MEETING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 278, 26 November 1935, Page 6

DICKIE'S WESTMERE MEETING

Sir,—For a display of bias and unblushing Toryism the action of the imported chairman, Mr. J. K. Franklin, at Mr. Dickie’s meeting on Saturday evening, will long be remembered as an epic. At question time he pounced upon, and duly silenced, several (opposition; questioners for asking somewhat lengthy questions, remarking that if they wished to make speeches they had better hire the hall for themselves. Although he may nave been within his rights in ruling as he did the climax came when another member of the audience, apparently a man brought along for the purpose an overseas visitor —ruse and made a long speech in support of the candidate without any interruption from the chairman. After speaking for five minutes a section of the au.l < nee objected, with the result that Mr. Franklin put the matter to the meeting, and, in spite of considerable objection, the itinerant was allowed to continue for several minutes longer. It is interesting to recall that at a debate in the Opera House about a month ago Mr. Franklin indulged in similar tactics to those which he denied the opposition at Westmere. On that occasion he spoke for a considerable period, in a high-pitched voice i that had partly deserted him, prior to ' or in the process of putting his question to Colonel Marks. To a casual observer it was pathetic in the extreme .to sec this ■ wealthy, fresh-complcxionod, affluent-looking retired citizen vigorously denying Jiri- ; tish justice to a returned soldier who. in bearing the heat and burden of three years’ warfare so that the assets of the former might be preserved, was maimed for life. Did we obtain a glimpse of the big stick with which we have been ruled during the past four years?—l. am etc., ‘‘WESTMERE-ITF..’’ 23/11/:;.;. (Published by arrangement.