MR MASSEY'S MEETING.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14988, 8 June 1914, Page 8

MR MASSEY'S MEETING.

TO TTCK. EDITOR OF "THE PK2S3." Sir, —I liavo rasidcd in this country forty years, and lived in both Islands, watched the ups and downs of the different Governments, attended political meetings in the different towns as time went by, but this city beats all for disorderly, ignorant conduct, which I consider is the fault of the- inhabitants in general encouraging and supporting the continual brawling and uneducated soap-box orators, who are «li suffering from the swelled head ailments. 3lr Massey's Friday night meeting is a standing disgrace. I liavo voted for the Liberal Government, and obtained the votes of my own famiiy for Mr Seddon and Sir .1. G. Ward, but no more, knowing tho "push" that is now in "Ward's favour. I am disgusted, and will do my utmost against them. 1 have carefiiliy considered tho matter, and now conclude that we have at present a Government of men. If defeated, they c:;in livo. without serving the disorderly Red Feds, anti-militants, and other lowdown people ? who make up the population of Christcburch.— Yours, etc.. TRAVELLER. TO THK KDITOR OK ' , TirE PRESS." Sir, —I have long watched Mr MasBey's career, and sympathised with him in the difficulties ho has had to contend with. His courageous leading of the lie form Party for many years before ultimately succeeding to ' tho great prise of being the leader of the country, was highly creditable, and it has been not less so in the trying ordeals ho has since had to contend with, especially during the great strike. Last night's meeting, notwithstanding much senseless and ro-vdy interruption, must be considered as a triumph, affording a.N it did an opportunity of putting before the Canterbury people a statement of the policy and work of -the Reform Party as fully set out in this morning's Christchurch "Press." I will refer to a few of the leading features of , tho speech. Mj - Massev's answer to Sir Joseph Ward's excuse for concealing the policy of his party is complete. Mr Massey did put his policy before the country in many respects beforo coming into office,* and this course is quite necessary to enable tho electors to judgo between the two parties. Hie financial statements given by tho Premier will satisfy most people who go into this matter with . sufficient care to form an opinion, that tho Opposition's misrepresentations aro unfounded, and that tho correct account has. been given by Mr Massey. /These iinancial matters are very important, and are a good test of tho honesty of tho opinions of politicians, and aro deserving of very careful study by all who take a genuine interest in tho affairs of the country, and desire to form their own opinion from actual facts, rather than take thorn ' from others who supply various distortions. I weuld particularly draw attention to the high of the credit of New Zealand in London when Mr Massev's first loan was offered, twenty-six niiillions being subscribed for the four and .1 half required, within a couplo of hours. 1 should say this is almost a record in colonial finance, I commend this occurrence to tho--thoughtful consideration of our friends the Socialists and the lied Feds., men wh,o. I have no doubt, aro acting up to their lights; but let them pause and ■consider. The comparison or rates of interest of these loans are also worthy •of attention. Mr Massoy's replyias to the alleged increase in taxation through, the Customs is a complete refutation of the charge. Nothing could ix> more emphatic and crushing of the charge of the Opposition. 1 earnestly advise all workers to closely look into • tho statements given by Mr" Massev as in "The Press" of to-day (Juno 6th). " . J ;Mr Mnssey's statements'on the-land question arc not less filing, and should eatuiv all reasonable people -that he is more, in favour of small holdings than large ones. Tho' owners of the latter, ■ I can conceive, might hare a grudge against him. His defence of the increased expenditure in the JDoniiinon is unanswerable. Long: arrears had to be dealt with In the railway and otner services, and in the near future our schoolmasters and mistresses are p;oing to receive an increase of pay, to ..which, in the altered circumstances of tho times, they arc entitled. All the credit in reference to old-age-sind other pensions is not duo to tho late Administration. Mr JL-ussev's party, when in Opposition, contributed ■ to a just arrangement, and have still Jurther benefited certain sections of the community in this direction since coming into office, although I willingly Cive to the late Mr Seddon tho great credit" of. initiating the old-age pension scheme here, and the aged poor in tho J>ominion must for all time hold that stEtesman's name-end "life in grateful : memory. -■ :

Of the V s remainder of the gr.eat speech given last night in Victoria square it js not necossary. to write. Tho 1 remier dealt in a very telling manner •with each topic, especially with the naval question, which . was a complete refutation of Sir Joseph Ward's criticism. He. showed that the pledges of ■■ * ieR a i ty 'S5 d been '■■ t6 a kr g° extenfc fulfilled. The reform in the Public berocc appointments alone would justify the advent to power of the Reform * ? s lts v ? lu © to the <Bominion •ftill be far-reaching for all time, unless if rc P£ aled V some future Liberal party, who like jto have patronage i n tiieir possession. " Let mc, as a private citizen, make a protest against the senseless rowdyism of .a section of the audiences lit our political meetings. If those people will not listen to reason and behave m a reasonably orderly -manner, it is time the rest of the • people took such measures as would render t-heir attempts at disturbance futile. It should not be difficult to or-' Ranisoi a sufficient body of men, strong enough to'maintain good and decent d ! r ;?. fc t bcs ° meetings. I am 'sure that the. best men amongst the Socialists aTe not in favour of such demonstrations, as witness the efforts of .Mr t. -Howard >to discourage the ; rowdyism of* Friday' night. If a ' small section of the community differ from some particular legislation, they appear ,'to-think-they are justified in making themselves a nuisance at pubJic gatherings, and doing all they can to interrupt the meetings. If " they W jibe.content to listen to a speaker, ! and then take the opportunity at the finish to move a motion ih:.aecordance •with their opinions, no one would object, and such conduct would earn our lespect. 1 hope that this plan will be adopted in future, and that we may become more like the nncient Greeks in this respect, who were good listeners to their public orators, and inthisjuanner received instruction in public affairs. Witness the fine orations n-hich have been handed down to us. Then our public men would' wfllinglv come forward to address us on public affairs, and truth would prevail, for the Bpoaker who relied on incorrect statements, as some of our politicians <10, ■would be bowled but. I commend tho \ fine report of Mr Massey's speech to the careful study of all voters. As for £uyself, I have placed it in my book ' of" newspaper cuttings for future referj.«i.ce. —"lours, etc., f CITJZEX. i June Gth.