CANDIDATES' SPEECHES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2319, 28 November 1914, Page 8

CANDIDATES' SPEECHES

A ROWDY EVENING MR. D. MORIARTY'S FIRST ADDRESS BEFORE HOSTILE AUDIENCE 'An entertaining hour-and-a-half was spent in the Municipal Concert Chamber last evening, when Mr. D. Moriarty, Independent Labour candidate for Wellington Central, made his first speech in the campaign. The hall was filled, and the meeting was rowdy and lively. The noise was created principally by a section which was probably composed chiefly of extreme Labourites. The candidate called for a chairman, and the rear division nominated Mr. L. Glover, who. presided, and caused more than one smile by always veferriiifj to tho aspirant as Mr. Mor-i-an-ty.

Speaking Well of others, The candidate was applauded on rising to speak. He said that there was a rumour' going round that he was being paid by the Massey party to stand in "Wellington Central so as to split votes. Those who knew him : knew he would never stoop to such an action. If he told the audience what he thought of the Massey party-, it might help them to appreciate his denial. Mr. Massey, he said, was but a tool in the hands of the Hawke's Bay squatters. Proceeding, he said that the Labour Department was administered in such a way as to save the employers on every possible occasion. He adversely criticised the Trades and Labour Disputes Investigation Bill, which Mr. Massey introduced in the House. Mr. Moriarty: As regards Mr. Fisher ——. A voice: A friend of yours I Mr. Moriarty: "No doubt." He then went on to say that it war. for the people to say whether Mr. Fisher should be again returned to Parliament. 1 A voice: You stand down. • Mr. Moriarty: I know the workers «rill tote intelligently, and that Mr. Fisher will be looking for work after this- election. (Applaus3.) When the candidate said he would get down to politics the audience vigorously applauded. He said that he was standing as an independent candidate, and was totally opposed to party politics. (Applause.) He believed in an Elective Executive. The position now was that anyone who visited the House would find half the Chamjber empty and many of the members out at Bellamy's. It was said that independents were railsitters, but lie was a fighter.

Pugilism and Pudding. A' robust voice from the back: We will put you against Jack Johnson next time. (Laughter.) ' Mr.'Moriarty: I am, I say, a fighter. Another voice: You would fight' a good plate oF "duff"! . Uproar and 1 counting out .interrupted Mr. Moriarty, and the chairman intervened to restore order. The candidate said that lie could ■never ally hinisolf to any party in the House because he would not vote against the dictates of his conscience to save any party. Ho could not join the Labour Party as far as he could see. bnt if lie ever did it would be with this reservation: that lie should be given a free hand on tho No'Licenss question. He was totally against the bare majority

on the No-License (and the Labour Party advocated it) unless a measure was passed compelling everyone to vote. The Prohibitionists would not tako the baro majority if it was offered to them, and they were simply using tho Labour Party to serve their own ends

As regarded the Liberal policy (Cheers.) A voice: Three cheers for Ward. Man at the back: Three for Fletcher, llr. Moriarty: If elected

Uproarious laughter. Mr. Moriarty: It is quite evident that, the majority of my supporters are not liero to-night. (Loud laughter.) Mr. Moriarty then said that there was only one plank in the Liberal platform which lie did not approve of. The remainder ho could support. A voice: Then stand down and cupport Fletcher. He read Sir Joseph Ward's ."policy" and emphasised his approval of the following planks:—Proportional representation, the baby bonus, and preservation of the free, secular, and compulsory education system. He said that Mr. Fisher had played a vote-catch-ing trick in saying that lie would vote against the Bible-in-Schools League's proposals. (Applause.) If Mr. Fisher went' on his bended knees and repeated that statement-, the candidate would not believe him.

Audience Seeks Information. • ■As regarded the Arbitration Act, good and just administration was all that was needed. If a body of men went before the Arbitration Court, and the Judge refused them an award, they should be free to strike or do whatever they liked to get what they wanted. _ He said that judges of the Arbitration Court should sit with the assessors, hear their arguments, and decide the case there and then, instead of going away (perhaps up country) and writing out the decision alone. (Applause.) In conclusion he said that ho would reckon it a disgrace to be beaten by Mr. Fisher, audv that he thought that the fight would be between himself and Mr. Fletcher. He considered Mr. Fletcher a perfect gentleman. Question from the back: Why are you opposing him, then? i Mr. Moriarty: It is unfortunate that I have political aspirations as well as his has.. There was some more noise and Mr. Moriarty .said that tliero \ver» -lot more than one hundred members of tha .So-cial-Democratic Party in Wellington Central. If there were Mr. Fisher would have brought in a Bill to 'ieba.r them . from voting. (Incredulous "Oil's!") The chairman invited questions. First question: I should like the speaker to tell us whether he is going to the poll, or not. Mr. Moriarty: I got my nomination paper this morning, and I am going to the poll. If the candidate does not believe in party politics, why Joes he read us the "Liberal" Party's policy ?, The candidate regretted "the ignorance of the questioner," and added that Sir Joseph Ward's policy happened to coincide with his own views. , "Does Mr. Moriarty believe in consistency?" someone wished to know. 1 Mr. Moriarty said that he did. Candidate Invited to Stand Down.' The inquirer : Then why did you say that if Harry Holland pulled out, you would pull out, too? Mr. Moriarty: Where did I make that statement? Questioner: In the public Tress. A woman auditor: You made it to me at the corner of —- A thin voice: I'll tell on you, Dan! Mr. Moriarty: lam not going to deny anything alleged to have been said to a lady. In any case we all have to play our little game. ' , Uproar, and cries of "Pull out !" The candidate was counted out. Someone asked if £500 had been offered by the Government for a Labour candidate to come out and-split the vote in Wellington Central. Mr. Moriarty: If Fisher 'offered me £500 I would close on it and ; hand it over to the Belgian Fund. (Applause.) Another question followed the same line. Mr. Moriarty: I am asked again if I have been bribed to stand. I say that" I have received just as much from the Massey Government as you have for asking such a silly question. Question: Will you agree to a show of hands as to. whether you stop in the field or pull out? Mr. Moriarty : They might be all Fisherites here to-night. From the back; Do you think you would not be serving the interests of Labour by standing down for this election? Uproar again. The chairman: Wait a minute. There is- aiiother question, and it' is a "snorter." _ (Laughter.) Mr. Moriarty: Perhaps you oan get Fletcher to stand, down. (Renewed noise and "Noes.") ~ The chairman iiivited a resolution, and it was moved by someone at the rear that Mr. Moriarty should be thanked for his address and invited to stand out of the contest. This was carried by a largo majority on a show of hands. Mr. Moriarty said that such a resolution passed in such circumstances did not make him in the least downhearted, and that he would go to the poll. (Loud applause from the front benohes.) This ended the meeting.