RIOTOUS MEETING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 510, 13 November 1928, Page 8

RIOTOUS MEETING

MR. LYSNAR AND CHAIRMAN HECKLED “WHICH IS THE CANDIDATE?” When the chairman, Mr. Joijj. Thomas, rose to introduce Mr. Frsd tysnar, Reform candidate for Citv Central, to an audience at St. Janies', Hall, Pitt Street, last evening, he faced a barrage of interjectors, -with the result that his few words developed into a seven-minute oration. “Nine years ago I faced you people in this hall,” said Mr. Thomas, “secting the position which Mr. Lysnar i, seeking to-day.” A Voice: "Which is the candidate!" Ignoring the interruption the chairman went on: “We are ail shareholders in a great joint stock company. On Wednesday we have to elect 80 directors. And from those SO directors is elected a sub-com mittee of directors.” A Voice: Too many. Annoyed at the persistent interruptions which followed, Mr. Thomas held forth on his rights as a chairman concluding by saying that at the present time he had the floor, and would have his say. “Mr. Lysnar presents a compliment by coming before you this evening —Cries of “sit down,” and general uproar followed this assertion. “I presided over meetings 37 year; ago when half of you people wen not born,” forcibly asserted the chair man, standing up to the uproar, “i have been chairman for Sir Hear; Parks, the man who gave the world free education. I’ve also befriended Harry Holland.” A Voice: Cock-a-doodle-do. Mr. Thomas: Mr. Lysnar has a fanshare of wisdom. I ask you to now show your wisdom by listening to his wisdom. This is not a circus.” Mr. Lysnar showed audible signs of the ardour with which he has waged the campaign when he rose to speak his voice being very hoarse. But a large section of his audience was om for fun, and he also was frequently heckled. When question time came proceedings became trying owing to the candidate being somewhat hard of hearine. The chairman had to repeat all questions to him, and consequently protracted arguments between that official and questioners ensued. Eventually Mr. Thomas took a hand at answering questions himself. He was greeted with “is the chairman the candidate.” Replying to a query as to why, seeing he stated he was a Liberal, te was a follower of Mr. Coates. Mr. Lysnar said, “because Coates is the best Liberal in the House. No one can touch him.” A Voice: Is Coates the Government? Another Voice: No, Sir Francis Beli is. Uproar followed, as a result of which one turbulent interjector was removed by the police. and hoots followed. When a motion of thanks and confidence, proposed In an undertone by two front-seaters, was put by the chairman, pandemonium knew no bounds. The meeting broke up with w'ild cheers for Mr. Lysnar and counter-cheers for Mr. Parry.