Lively Moments

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 511, 14 November 1928, Page 1

Lively Moments

Mr. Coates Tours Auckland

Last Hectic Hours

IN three hectic hours last evening the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, made his final effort to gain greater representation for the Reform Party in the Auckland electorates.

He visited Otahuhu, Onehunga and Avondale, and whatever else they were, his meetings were a personal triumph. One over-mature egg made its appearance to demonstrate a practical disapproval of the Prime Minister, and the only other demonstration akin to it was an attempt at Otahuhu to remove the valve from one of the tyres of the Prime Minister’s car.

It is suspected that a woman has as a memento a valve cap which disappeared at Otahuhu, and some man has a less permanent memento —a tender spot where a No. 9 boot caught him as he was trying to use a knife on the same tyre. Apart from this, there was plenty of expression in the booing and counter-cheers that were encountered at each of the three meetings, but at Otahuhu and Avondale the majority seemed to be in favour of the party represented by the Prime Minister. Possibly the spirit of the demonstrators at Avondale had been somewhat dampened by Sir James Gunson, who held the fort until Mr. Coates arrived,

s and started the meeting in nothing short of pandemonium. Reports were vague about Otahuhu and Avondale, but a demonstration was expected at Onehunga, and it was here that the sole and very smelly egg made its armearance. but it splashed harmlessly on the windscreen of the car, and the two bouquets with which Mrs. Coates *iad been presented overpowered its effects inside the car. Another bouquet was forthcoming at the Avondale meeting, and Mrs. Coates arrived back at the Jrand Hotel with a huge armful of flowers. YOUTHFUL INTEftJECTORS

It was noticeable that at Otahuhu and Avondale the interjectors were comprised largely of youths of anything from 14 to 20 years of age, who j have yet some time to wait before they can take any more definite interest in the elections. The party arrived at Otahuhu to the tune of cheers for “Harry Holland,” followed by an unsuccessful call for cheers foj: “Joey Ward.” Mr. T. H. Clements presided, and made his introduction too long for the .rowd, which promptly requested him to sit down. The Prime Minister spoke for a quarter on an hour without any noticeable interjection, castigated the “croaking Jimmies,” and generally aired his party’s policy. Interjectors were not given a very good hearing by the crowd, which apparently was desirous of hearing Mr. Coates, and it was not until late in his address that there were any appreciable interruptions. COUNTED OUT A motion of thanks and continued confidence was declared carried amid uproar, and the party safely reached the cars and dashed to Onehunga. Here the crowd was on its feet, and there was uproar when the official party arrived. The crowd kept up a running fire ef interjection, but the Prime Minister got through all he wanted to say. He was counted out a dozen times, and commented adversely on the time kept by the opposition. A persistent interjector finally drew fire from a member of the audience when he remarked “Nine bob a day!” which incidentally was a parrot-cry throughout the three meetings. “Scottie, you’re not worth three bob a day,” remarked the second member of the audience. The hall was crowded to the doors, and the Prime Minister received an unexpectedly good hearing. reports having been circulated that goou clothes were likely to be ruined. Mis. Coates nearly got lost in the surging crowd that flocked round the cars after the meeting, but she took it ail in excellent part. Avondale, reached about 1C p.m., produced another hall so much crowded that loud speakers were operating for ihe benefit of those in the street. Cries of “Why don’t you go in the front way?” greeted the party as they made for a side entrance. Going in the front way would have been a physical impossibility in any case. AGE OF INDISCRETE i “There are those in this • w y who say ” began Air. Coates. “ you are rotten,” piped . a female voice. This led to uproar, at the conclusion of which Mr. Coates remarked: “Well, I like the sound of the voice. It is •ne of those nice kind-hearted voices.” More uproar.) “There are only two parties—Labour and Reform,” said Mr. Coates later.

A Voice: Yes, and in the order you put them. Coates: I place them Labour as the Opposition, and Reform as the Government. “Why don’t you get out?” inquired an interjector. Air. Coates: I am a New Zealander. There is no need to get and this country could not do without me. A Voice: We don’t want you Mr. Coates: Oh, what have we here? How old are you? The Owner of the Voice: Nineteen—no eighteen; and getting 30 bob a week. Mr. Coates, after the laughter had died down: Good lad! I am glad to see you are taking an interest in politics. Carry on. You will learn that the best guide, philosopher, and friend that you have is the one that is speaking to you now. Mr. Coates recommended Sir James Gunson to the electors, as he had done the Reform candidates at Otahuhu and Onehunga, • after which a member of the audience tried to move a motion. He was continuously .ounted out, and even his most desperate endeavours to get in his motion, even when he stood on. a chair and tried to outbellow the . counters-rout, were unsuccessful. - • ..... The meeting closed in uproar, over which cheers for Sir James Gunson and Mr. Coates predominant. Thus ended the l&st item in the strenuous election campaign embarked on by the Rriine Minister. Between October 1,6, when he opened at-Christ-church, and. to-day. when he arrived back m Wellington—having left Auckland by -special train last evening—he had covered 3,644 miles, 1,321 of which were by motor-car, and had delivered 53 speeches. STORMY MEETING PRIME MINISTER AND MR. BUT* AT ONEHUNGA HECKLING BARRAGE A crowded hall, long before the meeting started, promised a lively time when Mr. Coates and Mr. Bertram Bunn appeared at the Strand Theatre, Onehunga, last evening. The Mayor of Onehunga, Mr. W. C. Coldicutt, appealed for a fair hearing. Both Mr. Coates and the candidate were constantly interrupted, but managed to convey their message through the hecklers’ barrage.