STORM OF QUESTIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1933, Page 8

STORM OF QUESTIONS

HOSTILITY TO COALITIONIST

A BY-ELECTION MEETING

(By Telegraph.) (Special to the "Evening Post.") CHBISTCHURCH, This Day. It was raining hard at Sumner last night, and the monotonous roar of the downpour could be heard on the roof of the Town Hall until question time ■same at a meeting addressed by Mr. F. "W. Freeman, the Coalition, candidate for Lyttelton. From, ithen on the rain could not be heard for the storm within. Questions came thick and fast dealing with such topics as soldiers' pensions, tho I.C. and A. Act, and the Economic Conference delegation. In answer to further questions, Mr. Freeman said that -whether- he would vote for further, wage cuts would depend upon.the circumstances. He did not favour the-'introduction of tho Douglas Credit; system. He was not a member of the Kew Zealand Legion, but if that body liked to help him he would appreciate it. A voice: You'll need it. Tke candidate said lie could not pledge himself on the matter, but he believed that the country could be governed efficiently by half the Parliamentary membership of eighty. If there came lip any legislation which. did not agree with, his principles he would walk out of Parliament. A questioner: On. which, side of the Coalition are you—Liberal or Reform? Mr. Freeman: I am Coalition, and I will follow tlie leader of the Government. The questioner: Who is that? Mr. Freeman: Mr. Forbes. A vote of thanks was passed to the candidate, but it was preceded by the putting of the following amendment by Mr. Farquhar Young:—"That this meeting, after hearing Mr. Freeman, expresses its sincere thanks for his address, but at the same time expresses tho opinion that he is not a fit and proper candidate to represent our constituency." Tho Mayor of Sumncr (Mr. "W. H. Nicholson), "who presided, declared the amendment lost on the voices.