PUBLIC MEETING IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15138, 30 November 1914, Page 10

PUBLIC MEETING IN CHRISTCHURCH.

RESOLUTIONS OF PROTEST. In Cathedral squaro on Saturday evening a meeting of somo 2500 people was held, in response to Dr. '..hacker's advertisement, to pass resolutions of protest in connexion with the price of , wheat and flour. The meeting was of j short- duration, and resulted in the following resolutions being heartily passed:— i "(a) That this meeting of electors of Christchurch assembled, emphatically * protests against tbo action of the Government in neglecting »o bring into force tho Foods Act patsed by the Parliament of New Zealand on the 10th August with the object of preventing 'the manimilation of fcod prices, seeing I that that Act provided that the prices fixed on Ist August could have been made the st a ndard prices for all comI modities, and that all ealas, both ! wholesale and retail, made at advanced prices would have been an offence punishable with a fine of £530. "(b) That this meeting further protests against the apathy and ineptitude of the Government in neglecting to safeguard the people from the machinations of those farmers, millers or speculators who are cornering flour or wheat with a view to taking toll from tho peoplo for their chief necessity. "(c) That this meeting demands that the Government shall immediately exercise its powers under tho Act already passed to fix the prico of wheat and other staple commodities, and to tnko such means as aro available to discover the individuals and firms who are withholding supplies, and to punish those who are taking advantage of the public necessities to exact exorbitant profits. "(d) That this meeting further demands that tbo evidence taken by the Food Commißsion at Christchurch and elsewhere be immediately published lor public information." In the course of his remarks in moving tho resolutions, Dr. Thacker -.aid that there waa in Canterbury more wheat than was required to carry the whole of New Zealand over till the next harvest was available. He hud that afternoon visited the Dunsandel and Methven districts and discovered people there who held wheat in thousands of bags. Ho had in his possession the names of men who held between ihom !*_,OCC* sacks of wheat. He would seal these names up in an envelope, and if challenged, would hand thorn to any reputable citizen to be opened, and if his statement wore not correct, ho would forfeit- £100 to the Christchurch Hospital, and if his .tatement were correct then tbe challenger should forfeit £"_>oO to the same institution. Dr. Thacker referred to the manner in which the difScultv had been met !*" Australia, and said tiia-t if those who held wheat did not sell it in a fortnight at the Government rates, , then if ho had his way, he would seize it and pay them the* rates ruling on August lot. "Sew Zealand," continued the speaker, "has sent her best sons to the war. and yet the Massey Government is allowing people remaining behind to be practically starved. They am going to charge you l 8 a \ Q tf_ a \_,} perhaps 2s a loaf, while fat farmers in the Dominion hold more wheat in New Zea- ' land than we want. And yet wo canr.ot pet it. You are being robbed today by the increase in -the prico of bread of £1000 a day—that L> £365,0-0 I a year f that is being stolen from poor people--! Dr. Thacker condemned the Government for not coping with the situation, I and said that that meeting of protest tfould rumble through tho wholo Do-

minion and rouse every part, to action, "Thi.. handsome meeting," co_chi-_l tho Doctor, "this fine clear-faced, up-io.. date meeting, this meeting i. going io tell old Bill Massey that he- is cot wiiiited any more in New Zealand.*' -'- Tho motion was then read. _eeoii-f_l by Mr .1. Petherick, and put to th* mooting, which carried it d«-i_iv*_y. One oi' f.v<) facetious individuals calld out "No," which led Dr, Thacker a retort: "The man who said.tb._t is o. mail, but only a squeaker."