HECKLER ANSWERED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1417, 18 April 1912, Page 5

HECKLER ANSWERED.

PLAIN TALK BY AUCKLAND'S MAYOR. A MEETING DISTURBED. (By Tclecraph.—Press Association.! Auckland, April 17. The Mayor encountered in his address to tho timber workers at Goldie's Mill this morning considerable opposition from a section who wero not timber workers, but wero known as belonging to the revolutionary section which is opposing Jlr. t'arr very bitterly in this contest. 'Tho Mayor had proceeded for about 20 minutes in his address, and was giving his version of tho industrial issues before tho community, apparently with some effect, when lie was rudely interrupted bv this disturbing section, who insisted that Mr. Parr should at once stop his address in order that they might question him. Air. Parr: Gentlemen, surely you will givo jne a quarter of an hour in which to finish my spcech, after which there will bo ton minutes for questions, which I shall be pleased to answer. Interruption still continued, notwithstanding the efforts of Jlr. Saunders, a member of tho Timber Workers' Union, who was in the chair, to restore order. The Jfnyor, however, continued amidst a fire of abusive interruptions. "I want to liavo my say," called ono man. "The Mayor has had enough time," declared another. Mr. Parr had to cease for quite five minutes while the leader of tho interrupting party denounced tho Mayor and members of tlio City Council in unmeasured terms. Thero was an orderly section of workers who protested, and demanded a fair hearing for tho Mayor, but tliev wero outvoiced by tho noisy clemsnt. An appeal from some of those present for order drew from the chairman tho remark that "apparently the only way to keep order in such a mob was with a gun." Despite further interruption, Mr. Parr steadfastly stood it out, and finished his address, aftoi which ho announced that he was prepared to answer questions. At least a dozen of (he disturbing element jumped forward, and the Jlayor gave preference to a person who was apparently the leader. Armed with a notebook from which ho proceeded to quote, ho first asked: "Didn't you alter tho whole of Midglev Taylor's sclicmo that you paid XioOO for? ' "No, sir," replied the Jlayor. "But I know you did," ho shouted. Purlher questions wero asked and answered, the questioner declining to accept tho Jlnyor's reply in each case. By this time the man had got down from his seat on a timber stack, and had surrounded tho Jlayor with his mates. "Now," said he, using an objectionable opithet, "answer mo this: Didn't you, on the Ist, fioat city loans and get personal brokerage:" "That is quite untrue," indignantly replied the Jlayor. "The loans are not yet floated, and the statement about brokerage is a lying invention. You have evidently come here to insult me." The man now advanced to tho Jlayor ; shaking his fist, and said: "But I know you did. Yon made brokerage for your- [ self out of ban? and I know it." "Thero is only one reply for you, niy friend," said the Jlayor quietly, "and I 1 give it to vou before all your mates—you arc a liar.'* "Oh, am I," said tho man. "Thank you." "Well, you got that straight enough, anyway," was the unsympathetic observation of a timber worker in tho audience. Tho meeting was then brought to a ter- ; miuation, three cheers being given for the Jlayor nnd three for his opponent. The rowdy section followed Jlr. Parr out of tho yards, tho questioner aforesaid being prominent in hurling abuse at the chief magistrate as he departed.