MINISTER ASSAILED

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1931, Page 2

MINISTER ASSAILED

LIVELY SCENES It AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, June 17. There were lively scenes when the lion. W. A. Veitch addressed a deputation of Auckland unemployed from the balcony of the Central Hotel, 1000 men with banners marching -to the front door. “Will you give us an assurance that you will do your best to restore, No. 5 scheme or something similar?” asked one man. Mr Veitch: Absolutely. One of the crowd put a motion “That the United Government had failed to carry out its contract.” The verdict .was unanimous. A fresh speaker: Will you stand there and tell us the Government has not failed ? Will you say to us that you have not lied tp us? The Minister: 'I was promised by your representative that T would receive a f.rr hearing. I will not bo called a liar. The same speaker; But in plan, simple language that’s what you are, or vour Government is. Another person raised the subject of the West Coast collieries. The crowd cheer r d lfm when he profda’mrd that th-ve'\vas something behind the actmii of the Government in Ordering coal from abroad) when m:n?s in the district were run bv the Government. “Aoit thought, th’t there would be a strike,” he challeng'd the ' VT inistriv "The”e was no thought ’of that," replied Mr Veitch. Tbs' crowd lautrh°d. “Well I understand the chrirm'-P h.is deriarefl the meeting closed,” sard AT,. v>. ; trh am’dst cat ends. “Non e-e f.hn inJees mnd you are entitled to be tlm iuclvcs.” The crowd (as one man): 'We wjll be.