A LARGE MEETING

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 140, 10 December 1914, Page 3

A LARGE MEETING

MR. FISHER AT THE TOWN HALL. A triennial institution — one might almost say the institution of every election campaign in Wellington— is the speech in the Town Hall by the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher on the eve of the election. As a "draw" it is a decided success, for the Minister of Marine can always be depended on to fill the big hall. , Last evening ho more than filled it. The available seating capacity of the hall was taken long before 7 o'clock. jsy half-past 7 the corridors and entrances to the building were packed with people to whom admission could not be given, as the hall was already in, a state of standing-room only. In the pauses of the candidate's speech knocks on doors and windows were heard, and vociferations and entreaties. One who knocked and could not enter became very insistent, and Mr. Fisher brought the house down by saying:' "If he can't get in to-night, I'll enow him how to get in to-morrow." The candidate got an enthusiastic reception when ho took the platform. The

cheering continued for some minutes, and was renewed when the Minister bent down to receive a. bouquet from a lady admirer. Then cheers were called for Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Fletcher, and a battle of noise ensued. " I have come back to-night," said the candidate, "on the eve of a great battle; I have come back to ask you to reward me to-morrow for my ten years' public service. " (Loud and prolonged applause.) After a reference to a telegram to Mr. Wilfoid at the Hutt, Mr. Fisher proceeded to describe the alliance between the Liberal and Labour Parties as an alliance of hate against the Reform Party, as Liberal and Labour had nothing in common. The attitude of the Reform Party was that the worker should get a fair day's pay for a fair day's work, but it was' also that the workers should give a fair day's work for a fair day's pay, and that a man should not prevent another man from doing a job he himself declined to do. (Applause.) The Government had been blamed for the Huntly disaster. Voice : Quite right. You didn't put the Bill through in 1912. You had Mr. Reid's report. Mr. Fisher: When did we have that report? Voice : In- Auguet. Mr. Fisher: When? Voice : 1914. Mr. Fisher : Then how do you expect us to put the Bill through in 1912? (Loud applause and cheers.) Mt. Fisher: "If 1 may say so, you are up as high ac Baldwin." (Laughter.) He added that Mr. John Dowgray, late president of the Federation of Labour, and a practical miner, had signed the report exonerating the Government from blame. After an important statement on the naval question, the Minister drew a very successful meeting to a conclusion with a declaration that there was no valid reason why he should not be returned to Parliament again. (Applause.) He had full confidence that to-morrow night they would find the Reform Party returned to power stronger than ever. (Loud and prolonged applause.) While a member of the audience I moved a vote of thanks to the candi- j date and confidence in the Reform Government, the handing up to Mr. Fisher of a large wreath in the shape of a horseshoe for luck was the signal for renewed applause. The vote was put and carried by applause, and a great meeting concluded with cheers and counter-cheers.