HECKLING AT MEETINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 83, 5 October 1938, Page 12

HECKLING AT MEETINGS

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —May I support the protest of "Elector" against persistent heckling and back chat from the platforms. Neither induce faith in nor respect for democracy. If a General Election is to be an extremely partisan football match with unrestricted and uncritical boosting of our own side and booing of the other, the candidates and party who survive will be no credit to democracy. Persistent heckling is not confined, as some suggest, to Labour supporters. The broadcast of the meeting at Te Awamutii addressed by the Minister of Lands showed that opponents of the present Government can be equally vocal. .

! Partisans of both camps should re* jmember the saying: "In vain is the snare set in sight of the bird" and temper propaganda with fair play and regard for accuracy,-—1 am, etc., ANOTHER ELECTOR. (To tlie Editor,) Sir, —As one of those who have lately [ attended meetings of the National candidates, I wish to add my protest to that of others who are disgusted with the methods used to prevent the [speakers getting a fair hearing. Gangs lof young men yell and boo and make ! senseless interjections as though they were utterly beyond control. Some of the Labour leaders declare that they 4o not wish their followers to disturb meetings. If this is so, have their followers got quite out of hand then? Have the Labour leaders set alight a lire of lawlessness which they are powerless to stop?—-I am, etc.,

FAIR PLAY.