MR. MASSEY SPEAKS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1177, 12 July 1911, Page 8

MR. MASSEY SPEAKS.

"I WILL COME BACK." CROWD SINGS "FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD BELLOW." By 8.15 tbo hull had emptied to no great extent, but the crowd inside had become- considerably quieter. Mr. Hnssey • again stepped forward and said: — "Ladies af.d gentlemen,—! want to thank you tor the compliment you haveipuld, me." (Cheers.) A voice; Where's the• chairman? Mr. Massey: I am not'fjoing tu make a epetich. I have only two words to.say. I want to thank you for the compliment you havfl paid me in coming hero toflight. (Loud and continued applause.) I have como all the way from Auckland to address this, mseting whea nights nro valuable, because we aro now within a fortnight or three works of (ho commencement of the session. A voice: What about tho apology? What He Intended to Refer To. Mr. Massey: I intended to-night to refer, to. the- Acting-Prime Minister's speech, and also to refer to what has been known in Christchurch as the Tny-lor-Massey incident/ I intended also U> put .before you tho platform of tho Opposition party to which I belong. (Lend applause.) I am sure onco you heard it you .would snpport it very heartily. (Loud applause.) I intended also to sho'w you-tho gravo defects in , .the, administration;' of .the .present Government, au'd'tn put forward'considerations you have, not heard from a. Christchurch platform, but I cannot do it to-night. Let_ mo say this. I may not be able to doitinono or two nights, bnt if I don't do it in two'niglifs I will do it iu three, and I will tell you this, that before tho election comes round, even if I have to leave my own district, I will ■ come _to Christchurch and meet you here again from tho platform. (Loud applause.) A voice 1 from tlio gallery: Why are you speaking, now the Mayor has gone? Mr. Massey: I have just been reminded thnt I indicated to the Mayor I had no Intention of speaking. I have spoken longeT than I expected, and I must now a?ain thank you for the hearty leception ynn have accorded me. (Loud arjplansc.) Someone in the rear of the hall started "For lie's a jolly good fellow," and this was taken up by the throng, both inside and outside and sung with fervour. The crowd then gradually filtered from tho buildimr. Mr. Massey. accompanied by Mr. C. A. C. Hardy, M.P. for Seliwn. left the hall, and was' followed by a large crowd. Mr T.wlor several time' expressed renret to Mr. Massey at tho way things had turned, out,-font pointed out that under the circumstances the,onb&.thiiK.