REFORM DEMONSTRATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1511, 6 August 1912, Page 6

REFORM DEMONSTRATION.

SPEECHES BY MR. MASSEY ANB COLLEAGUES. A TRUE DEMOCRATIC POLICY. OUTBURST OF POPULAR ENTHUSIASM.

'A' great victory was celebrated at the Town" Hall last evening, when some three thousand people assembled to meet the .members of tho Reform Ministry.- Tlio meeting gave rise to a remarkable demonstration of popular approval.' The last great Reform gathering in tlio Town Hall possibly excelled that of last evening so far-as the element of popular excitement is concerned, for on the later occasion tlio. stimulating influence of a campaign was lacking, and the people had assembled to rejoice anil to congratulate, instead of to prepare for. battle. I>'evertheisss, regarded as a peaceful demonstration of goodwill towards a popular C!o\ eminent, the mceting could not-well have been surpassed. 'There-was a: splendid- tide of en-, thusiasmvfrom first to last, ctilminatetl in the magnificent ovation ntccrded the' Prime Minister. .All tlio speakers woro received with loud and hearty demonstrations of approval, and there this nothing in the shape of hostile interjection, unless the single word "Socialism," uttered on one occasion, and then very mildly at the back of the hall, can'.be so dei scribed. ■ . ' . Although Ministers were not in .a-posi-tion to embark on policy statements, interest in the proceedings was well maintained. The duration of the meeting yas wisely restricted—it lasted for littlo more than an hour and a half. The keynoto of most of the- speeches, including that of . the-Prime Minister-was a confident declaration, of. the ability' : of .the' Reforln. party.aiid.Ministry. to "pursue pflli'cy of. ' democratic progress. One' or 'two speakers, notably Mr. .Hcrries .and., Dr. 'Newman, struck a note- of lively humour. thatiloiind: a. ready response in tlioir auditors:'' • Most. of, the members. of tho Reform party in- Parliament, and many of their prominent supporters, were accommodated with seats bn the platform. Many of the Ministers and members were accompanied. by ■ their wives., Mis. Massey, was present- with her daughters (Mrs. Taylor Massey.)/ The Prime Minister ami. his, Ministerial colleagues '. punctually-'-|at '-/eight o'clock, and - tho speeches commenced at once, and continued without interruption- for an hour aiifl a hnlfr'Mr. C. B. Morison, chairman of the men's branch of . tho Wellington Political Reform League, presided, and introduced the speakers.