THE WINTON MEETING

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1296, 27 November 1911, Page 6

THE WINTON MEETING

I'CUTIIKI! UKM.WJKS lIY THE I'MMU MI.MSTHU. (Ky Telrsrauli.-Press Association.} Auckland, November 20. Tlik character i)V Ihi! meeting held by dm Loader »1' Hits Opposition nt Winton, (he venire «f Sir Joseph Ward's olottoriil;'. is claimed Ivy the Reform party as *iguilieaul »f public opinion. The Prime MinMrr decs not concede the importance nf Iho inccliug. "Probably il is hardly wurlh rodiseussing," ho said to-day. "Tho Leader of tin! Oppo.-ition is quiln welcome In make t)i« mii.-l: of il. bill, tlio fact roimiiiis Unit numbers of the electors in Awnrua. know Unit a very big proportion of I hose who attended Mr. Massey's meeting in • Winton wore not electors in tho Awarua dMricl. I was so advised the day afler Mr. Massey's Hireling by men of Hie iiigho.«t integrity and reliability, whoso word would l>o accepted by anyone who knew Ihoin. My supporters' in Awarua had never hud the slightest;doubt us to the result of the election." Sir Joseph Ward added: "It will ho found I hat I am not in any wav exaggerating when I state, that the polling in my favour will confirm (heir opinion, and then the value of the meeting can bo properly appraised. It was simply a political trick, and for the purposes of a display from an Opposition point of view. I presume the parly consider it. was worth doing. Personally I do not."

"FUItY AND ALARM." "Tho way in which tho Prime Minis-1 ler and his followers are endeavouring to explain away Iho enthusiastic reception accorded Mr. Massey at Winton is really ton humorous for words (says the "Wafrarap:t Age'), first wo arc'told that the meeting was 'packed' for tho occasion, although tho Press Association says a large number of Sir Joseph Ward's supporters were present. Then wc are informed that the Press Association 'coloured' its report. And lastly wo are gravely informed that free railway tickets were distributed in Invercargill. The whole Government following is in a stato of fury and alarm at the very thought of the Prime Minister's seat being in jeopardy. Dut so it is; and all tho .shuffling and explanation in the world will not alter the fact."