THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 91, 8 April 1914, Page 7

THE GENERAL ELECTION.

NOISY MEETING AT A KAMO HO. Mr G. V. Pearce, M.P. for Patea, was given a very warm reception at Aramoho on Monday night (says tlie Wanganui Chronicle) when a largo audience assembled to hear the member's account of the work done during the past session and of his stewardship during that period. From the outset it was evident that a section of the audience was hostile to the speaker, and throughout his speech was punctuated at short intervals with sharp interjections, while intermittently full-voiced “boons” interrupted his flow. When the strike questions were touched on, those at the back of the hall were particularly vociferous in their displeasure at the Government’s action. When Mr Pearce spoke of the disgraceful attitude of Mr P. C. Webb, M.P., towards the strike, lie was literally howled down. Imemdiately afterwards he referred to Mr speech at Nelson, and this was the signal for the cry “Well done, Atinoro!” and applause, which effectively drowned the speaker’s remarks for some seconds. The noise reached its height when Mr Pearce declined to allow Mr Voitch to take the platform to “state the position a little more clearly and a little more correctly,” in respect of the Old Age. Pensions Bill, and the House procedure. The Chairman, Major Lomax, asked the audience to give Mr Pearce a hearing. Mr Pearce remarked that he did not mind tho interjections. During the question period, Mr Pearce was assailed with queries, and his replies were frequently greeted by expressions of disapproval. A motion of confidence was put, and the chairman declared it carried. The hostile section also indulged in “boohs” for tho lit;form Party, and cheers for Sir Joseph Ward and the “Red Feds.”