Mr. Holyoake Scores Off Interjectors

Chronicle (Levin), 23 November 1949, Page 2

Mr. Holyoake Scores Off Interjectors

Though he was given an enthusiascic reception by an audience of about 350 when he spoke in Otaki, and his remarks wero frequently ■ punctuated with ap- , plause, the Deputy-Leader of the Opposition, Mr. K. J. Holyoake, had some interjectors to deal with. He handled these masterfuliy and repeatedly scored off 'the hecklers. Mr. Holyoake had been speaking about 40 minutes when a milu offensive began. He dealt with "the problems of the day as we see them," and cfiticised the Labour Party 's methods. "Labour in 1940 fought the election on the policy of complete control. But .you people have put the wind up them," said the speaker, "and today they prefer not to talk abouc their policy." Quite a iew interjections followed, but they soon subsided and the meeting continued quietl;/ thereafter. -"Tel'l us your policy," t'he first interjector exclaimed. Mr. Holyoake: I will, but first I want to point out what I t'hink are weaknesses. Mr. Holyoake asked another interjector if he was a supporter of Labour. "Never mind what I am," was the reply. , "Are you ashamed to admit that you support Labour " the speaker asked. The interjector promptly replied that he was not. Following further heckling from the same quarter, a member of the fairer sex brought 'down the house when she turned in her seat and addressed the interjectors as follows: "For the love of Mike, shut up! We came liere to listen to the speaker, not you. t Give him a fair go." Mr. Holyoake thanked the woman. for her help and said thau he enjoyed interjectors. They were entitled to their point boi view and helped to make a meeting. "Where did we get to with you?" an interjector asked later. Mr. Holyoake: Where did you get to? Interjector: Down the sump, Mr. Holyoake: I woul'd not te surprised if you were down the sump. A little later, when the speaker was discussing rises in taxation, the same interjector remarkea: "Taxes would have gone liigher if you were there." The speaker scored again when he replied promptly : "If we get • you up a little higher we might get you out of your sump." Questions hande'd to the speaker at the conclusion of his address were answered, as was one from the audience asking how the National Party, if returned, proposed to appoint the suggested board to deal ,with finance. "We will look around and find the best men we can get. There are always men to fill whatever job is created. The personnel and method of appointment would be laid down in an Act to be presented."