NOISY AUDIENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 86, 8 October 1938, Page 22

NOISY AUDIENCE

MR. HAMILTON IN SOUTH

PERSISTENT HECKLING

(By T*lei2T.ipl.-~ Press Asfloc.at.oi_.) INVERCARGILL, October 7. A stormy reception was given the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Leader of the National Party, and candidate for the Wallace seat, at Nightcaps. More than 400 persons waited for more than half an hour until Mr. Hamilton, who was delayed at his Ohai meeting, arrived. When Mr. Hamilton entered the hall he was greeted with booing and cheering, and it was obvious from the outset that a big section of the audience was determined to heckle the candidate and ridicule almost every criticism of the Labour Government's policy. It could be said, however, that Mr. Hamilton was accorded a good hearing. Much-of the interjection was either fair questioning or good humour, and at no stage could it be said that the candidate was not allowed to proceed with his address. Mr. Hamilton made many points which were warmly applauded by not a small section of the audience. His repartee was good, and more often than not he scored. Mr. Hamilton laid particular emphasis on some of the provisions of the Social Security Act and spoke of the compensated and guaranteed prices. When the chairman, Mr. W. Excell, asked for a motion there was eagerness ori the part of several in the audience to move one. Mr. A. Prendeville rose, and, addressing the candidate, said:— "Mr. Hamilton, you have put up quite a good battle here, and as we expected this to be your last appearance we came along to see and hear you." Laughter and cheering greeted this remark. Mr. Hamilton: It's' all right, you'll see me again. Voices: Nothing doing. We have seen the last of you. There was general uproar, and when the noise subsided Mr. Prendeville moved a motion of thanks to Mr. Hamilton for his address and no confidence in him as political candidate for Wallace and no confidence in the National Party. More cheering; broke out, and several in the hall seconded the motion. There was another outburst, by the noisy section of the audience. Mr. John A. Beck then stood on the stage and endeavoured to move a motion in favour of Mr. Hamilton. After the chairman had appealed for a hearing for the mover of the amendment, Mr. Beck moved that Mr. Hamilton be accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his I instructive address, confidence in him as a fit and proper person to take the pos_*->n of Prime Minister of New Zealand, and confidence in the National Party. The amendment was received with boos and applause. Mr. Prendeville protested about the acceptance of the amendment, saying it was a direct negative. The chairman appealed to the audience to "take it in a sporting manner." "We are all friends here, irrespective of our political leanings," he said. "Mr. Hamilton is entitled to "a vote of thanks and that is all that is asked for. The ballot box is the place to show^confidence or otherwise." • Amid more uproar the chairman declared the vote "fifty-fifty." A section of the crowd clamoured for a show of hands. That was the final incident in a meeting characterised by per-1 sistent interjection and divided applause and booing.