The Electoral Campaign

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 282, 29 November 1890, Page 2

The Electoral Campaign

LIVELY POLITICAL MEETINGDR. WALLIS AT THE CITY HALL. THE CHAIRMAN REFUSED A HEARING. MR McMILLAN~~LEAVES THE CHAIR. DR. WALLhTdISSOLVES THE MEETING.

One oE the most remarkable scones, evei v/itnessedat a political meeting in Auckland took place ato the City Halll eve - ing. In consequence of an offensne re mark made by the Chairman, Mr ' 0. O. McMillan, in introducing Dr. Wallis,wno was to address the electors, the meeting positively refused to hear the candidate SI chairman had been appointed whereupon a scene of the greatest npioar ensued and continued for about an hour both the Chairman and Dr. Wallis even tually retiring from the platform amidst hooting, hisainerand derisive cheering. Afc eight o'clock, the hour announced for commencement of the meet™*, the lower part of .the hall was crowded, and there £ac a fair attendance in the dress circle, including a number of lad.es. On the notion of Mr Burr, Mr C. C. McMillan was voted to the chair, and proceeded to introduce Dr. Wallis. He said: T\e all admire fche rational and straightforward manner in which Dr. Wallis has already expressed his views to the Auckland electors, fn the present juncture it behoves the men whom we propose to send to Wellington, thab those men shall not be the advocates of any class, either the capitalwb class or the labour party, but men who *" l .«° their duty, and endeavour by every possible means in tihoir power to advance the interests of all classes of the community, so as to aid in the welfare of our adopted country. (Applause.) We want men who will insist upon proper retrenchment m the finances of this country, not by such improDer conduct aa robbing the inglisn bondholder of his right and due (sooting and hissing), but honest men who will by honest means set themselves about reducing our expenees, and preventing extravagant expenditure, so that it shall not exceed our revenue. (Applause.) Wβ want men who will not be content to receive from the Government a statement that they cannot retrench, but men ready and able to say thab they must retrench, and that if they do nob retrench they must mako way for othor men who will retrench. We want legislation which will attract to our colony men of capital who will invest their money m opening up pur waste lands, in developing our mines, and in supporting the industries of our cities, and when these men do come we must take care that they are not robbed Of their money by iniquitous legislation. (Applause.) We must set our faces against men, whether they be political adventurers or trades union loafers — Thus far Mr McMillan was audible, but no further, for there eneued such a remarkable demonstration as has never before been witnessed in the hall. The audience seemed to rise almost to a man, and demand that the offensive words should be withdrawn, while hooting, biasing, and stamping created the utmost cor-iusion, during which the Chairman attempted in vain to continue hi 3 remarks. Several persons amongst the audience stood up and called upon Mr McMillan to " apologise." One lusty voice interjected, "We'll put Wallia at the bottom of the poll — and you did it." Another ehouted, "Do you think you represent the people -of Auckland?" and then awidst..,continuous stamping, hooting, hissing and yelling, there were intermingled frequent demands thab the Chairman should leave the chair. Mr McMillan, however, did nofc appear to be disposed to leave the field of etrife, and attempted to get a hearing, but ib was perfectly hopeless. Every time he opened hie mouth or raised his hand the audience stamped the louder, and still more loudly demanded that he should apologise for the language used. One well-known agitator, who occupied a front seat, yelled out: •• Get out of that and make room tor a better man," but Mr McMillan held his ground for several minutes longer, while the uproar increased to such a pitch that several persons on the platform and others in the body of the hall came forward and endeavoured to smooth the troubled waters.

Mr Courtney appealed bo the audience bo bear the Chairman's explanation. He said, •' You will injure Dr. Wallis thab we are here to return; (Loud cries of " No," and renewed uproar.) I ask of you to give Dr. Wallie that which every Englishman has a right to claim." A voice : Well, let the Chairman withdraw, and we will give Dr. Wallis a hearing. Dr. Wallis then come forward while Mr McMillan resumed hie seat. Dr. Wallis was received with applause, and the uproar was ababod to hear what he had to Bay. He spoke as follows :—Mr Chairman, ladies, and gentlemen, I fear I must apologise to this meeting for having invited you to come here to-night, and I'll tell you the reason why. I wae informed frequently that the labouring men, the working men and women of Auckland had heard my opinions so misrepresented that they were entirely opposed to me, and being indignant at such a slander, I ranted this hall and ran to the newspaper offices and advertised an invitation to the working men and women of Auckland to come and hear my opinions. (Applause.) Bub when I did thia I entirely forgob one thing, and that was that I was 65 years of age, and had not the strong voice I had 20 years ago, and I may not be able to address this audience unless there is quietness and no interruption. (Applause.)

Mr Hay, who occupied a front seat in the dress circle, here rose and called out in a loud voice: " Dr. Wallis, your Chairman has insulted bhe people, and he must apologise." This caused a renewal of the uproar intermingled with 9bouts of "Let him leave bhe chair," "Leb him apologise, or leave the chair."

Dr. Wallis: Gentlemen, if you will be quiet for a few moments and hear what I have to say, I'll meet you all in a smaller building, and let you have your own way. (A voice : "We won't let that man remain in tho chair." Applause and renewed uproar. )

Mr Cornish, another ocoupanb of the front seat in the stalls, rose and demanded thab Mr MMcillan should vacate the chair, •while the hall rang with repetition!) of the demand, interspersed with cries of " Apologise." Dr. Wallis held his ground, still perfectly cool, and asked, "Will you listen tome for one minute ? (Cries of "No," and "Go oil.") Mr McMillan authorises me to say ■ " but here again he became inaudible amidsb hooting, hissing, and stamping. Mr Crowther at this stage made his appearance on the platform, coming from the body of the hall, and this waa the signal for cries of " Let Crowther take the chair."

Dr. Wallis again tried to obtain a hearing, whereupon the stamping was continued accompanied by demands that the ■ chairman should be "deposed," "sacked,"and made to "apologise." On the platform there were haety consultations between Dr. Wallis , supporters, while the Doctor stood on one side of the stage Bhouting at the top of his J voice, bub perfectly inaudible, and Mr James Mackay could be seen near the left wing frantically gesticulating to the audience. One after another of the audience came forward and mounted the platform, and several hasty discussions of the situation took place between Dr. Wallis, tho Chairman, and these persons,

while the demonstration against the Chair man continued. ~u ttl i

!?L>s a^. ai V oee « the dresa circle and said, I beg to propose thab a gentleman take the chair. (Cheers.) Let the person who has insulted his audience be disposed of a t once." (Cheers.) Mr McMillan once more stood up, and amidsti continued stamping, was heard to say: "Gentlemen, lam quite wim to withdraw any remark that I made to-ni|ht. (Applause.) lam quite wim fco g « thw chair and simply keep order. (Hooting and hußing.) I did nob mean to refer to any particular class in the community. I am in favour of all claases getting a fair hoarwg. ° °

A voice: "One class in particular," and cries of Leave the chair " Mr McMilhtn: I ask you now to give h°o r oS;s%^ri ne {Appi - seLd • He ™ a S»in'Mr McMillan became quite inaudible, although he was apparently shouting at the top of his voice and lating vigorously, bub all to no purpose. He was availed anew with cries of" Leave the chair, "You have gob to go," and so on Mr MeMillan waa heard to appeal : Uentleraen, ono minute-" bub ho got no further, and once again resumed his seat amidst uproar.

Mr R. Moore, a well-knovvn shipwright, then mounted the stage amidst loud cheering and cries of "Go on, Bob." He proposed that Mr Desmond should take the chair, and this was the signal for loud applause. l

«.? r '.i a a ß ain interposed, saying: Gentlemen, I have rented this hall," but here the stamping became so vigorous that only a few more words wore heard, and they were " insult me in this manner." Mr Maddxngham here had a conference with Mr McMillan, and then appealed to the audience to " Let the Chairman speak for a few minutes."

Mr McMillan then attempted to get a hearing, bub was received wibh renewed hissing, stamping and vocal demonstrations of hostility, while Mr Adam Porter, having become conspicuous amongst bhoso ou the platform, was assailed with cries of " Come on, Adam ; take the chair."

Mr Porter acceded bo the request. He said : " I bhink an apology is due from the Chairman. (Derisive laughter, and cries of " Wo don'b want an apology, wo want a new chairman.") There is only oue way 1 see oub of the difficulty. I think a new chairman should bo appointed in all fairness. (Loud cheers.) I believo thab Mr McMillan did nob intend to say anything to offend you (Cries of •■ Ye 3, he did ")* and I believe if you had leb him finish his sentence ib might have hud a different effoct. (Cries of "JNo.") Ab all events, I think, in the meantime, ib would be bobber for the candidate if the Chairman lefb bhe chair, and bhab some other gentleman took the choir. (Cheers.)

Mr McMillan: Gentlemen, will you let me finish what I was saying ? (Uproar and cribs of "Leave the chair "aud "Apologise.") Won'b you lob me explain ? (Cries of "No," "SiDdown,"and continues sbamp-

The prospect of the Chairman obtaining a hearing was now worse than hopeleas, and he entered into a consulbabion with friends on the stage as to the best course of procedure, while the audience settled down to a quiet determined " stumping," which became deafening every time Mr McMillan attempted to obtain a hearing. Mr Hartnoll made rtn attempt to smooth matters by proposing that Mr D. B. McDonald should take the chair, bub bhis proposal was received with cries of " No," and calls for " Crowther."

Mr James Mackay seconded the proposal, whereupon bhe stamping was resumed.

Mr R. Moore again mounted bhe stage, and proposed Mr Desmond as Chairman, bub was assailed with loud cries for '•Crowthor."

Mr McMillan again attempted to obtain a hearing, but failed, and left the stago, shouting,"! dissolve the mooting." Ho then retired, followed by Dr. Wuliis, the audience cheering lustily. Mr R. Moore ugain mounted the stage, and proposed " That Mr Desmond take the chair," whereupon Mr Cornish interjected, " Take it yourself, Bob," and the audience became uproariously amused. Mr Adam Porter having again beqn called upon,aaid : Gentlemen, this hall wue rented by Dr. Wallis, and I am here by his iuvifcation. Dr. Wallis has left the meeting and has do intention of addressing you. (A voice: "If he left the country we would nob care," and laughtor.) If you left the country I don't suppose it) would be the worse for the people in it. (Loud laughter.) If the meeting wishes to hear Dr. Wallis— (Cries of " Yes, yes.") Well, from the way some of you have treated the doctor— (Cries of "No! no! not the Doctor, but the chairman.") I think Dr. Wallis has been unfairly treated, and that there has been blame on both sides. Dr. Wallis—("Fetch him back") has instructed vie to say to you (uproar), " Can I tall? when yoa are talking .too ?" (Laughter and applause.) Dr. Wallis has inetruoted me to cay that this meeting is diseolved, (Cries of "Very well.") He pays the rent and expenses, and he will announce to you at a future date when he will address you. Mr Porter went on to say that he (Mr Porter) would address the meeting if Mr Crowther would take the chair. Mr Courtney then mounted the platform, and taking possession of the chair, eaid, "I thank you, gentlemen, for the'honour you havo done me in putting me into the chair." (Loud and continued laughter and cries of " We didn't.") Mr Courtney : '' Dou'fc you like it ? Audience : " No, we don't," and renewed laughter and in Corruption, and cnee of " Where's the Doctor ?!' ; Mr Crowther then took the chair, and was received with applause. He eaid ; I am extremely Rorry, and cannot find words to express my regret at the i«ue of thia meeting. The Chairman, no doubt, in the expression he used was very indiscreet. (Cheers.)! There is nodoubc that whatever his meaning may have been, it w liable to such interpretation thatnootherresult could reasonably have been expected. (Cheers.) Afc the same time, gentlemen, I would have been very much better pleased if you had heard Dr Wallis. Whatever the Chairman said to you or bo me, or all of us, bad no relation whatever to our feelings towards Dr. Wallis as a candidate for election to larliament. That being the case, 111 ask you whether there is not more or less blame on both sides. (Cries of "No,» , and uproar) Dr. Wallis has instructed me that tins meeting is diseolved.