HECKLERS’ NIGHT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 961, 2 May 1930, Page 11

HECKLERS’ NIGHT

BRIGHT MEETING AT ST. HELIERS

MR. ENDEAN’S ADDRESS St. Heliers may be a quiet seaside spot, but Mr. E. P. Endean, the Reform candidate, found that the Labour followers in that environ of Auckland were just as sceptical about the alluring picture of a. paradise ruled by Reform as they were in the most rabid Labour electorates. On the- platform with the candidate were Mr. R. A. Wright, ex-Minister of Education in the Reform Government, Mr. H. Holland, M.P. for Christchurch North, and Mr. J. S. Dickson, ex-Reform member for the Parnell electorate. Air. A. Twiname was in the chair. The candidate took the Hon. W. A. Veitch severely to task for the accusation levelled against the Reform Party of being responsible for the ill-health ot Sir Joseph Ward, by using “stonewalling” methods last session. A Voice: Why the stonewall? Air. Endean: I’m here to give my political opinions to the people of St. Heliers, and not to answer your questions. The candidate said that he himself treated working men well. A chorus of "boos” from the Labour section greeted this statement. "Those are facts,” insisted the candidate, amid a medley of cheers, groans, hoots and clapping. The Reform Government had added considerably to the pensions schemes which was a legacy from the old Liberal Party. Derisive cries at the back of the hall drowned the candidate’s voice, and the chairman had difficulty in making himself heard above the din in an appeal for order. Reform had added four or five more pensions to the list, Air. Endean persisted. The old-age pension had been increased to 17s 6d, and the widow’s pension had also been raised. The speaker would support a larger old-age pension. “Sturdy self-reliance and independence are characteristics of the British people,” said Mr. Endean, who criticised the Labour Party, which would crush out this initiative and independence. "No farms, no factories, no shops, no agencies,” said the candidate gloomily. Another Gloomy Voice: A second Russia. "They turn flips and somersaults, these Labour members,” said Air. Endean. ‘’These trade union leaders will ride the electors of New Zealand if they get in,” the candidate continued. "Mr. Jenkins is a straightforward, honest man. He saw there was something wrong with the ‘State of Denmark.’ He acted on his beliefs and acted as a man would do.” said Air. Endean. ••Never on your life! Never on your life!” was the chorus from the back, followed by an uproar in the liall, laughter, cheers and hooting being equally divided. Touching on Labour again the candidate said that the English Labour Party was different from that in New Zealand. There were some intelligent men over there. (Laughter.) Still, there were 460,000 more unemployed in the Old Country since they had come into power. The candidate touched on finance. Looking at a page of notes, he said: “Sir Basil Blackett —” Voices: Aw, we’ve heard that before. Air. Endean: Well, you re going to hear it again. And they did. _ _ _ “You remind me of a lot of Bolshy parrots,” said the candidate, heatedly. “You’ve learned something up at the Trades Hall, and you’re trying to annoy me with it. But I won’t be annoyed. That reminds me of a story about a parrot ” . _ Voice: Was it anything like you. (Laughter.) But the candidate won and told nis story. A back-row heckler wanted to know how the candidate could account for the Reform Alinister of Finance’s deficit. , „ . “He’ll deal with that himself when he speaks,” said the candidate, who was not to be caught. At the close of his address Air. Lndean was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.