NEED FOR UNITY

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 50, 27 February 1918, Page 3

NEED FOR UNITY

ADDRESSES BY MR. MASSEY AND SIR JOSEPH WARD LIVELY MEETING IN THE TOWN HALL NATIONAL! GOVERNMENT'S POLIOY AND WAR. WORK. The meeting at the Town Hall last evening was one of "the largest and liveliest that has been held in this city for some time. The building was crowded long before the hour fixed for the proceedings to begin, namely 8 o'clock. When it was decided that the holding capacity of the hall had been reached, the doors were closed, and the Chairman, iMr. John Hutcheson, briefly indicated the object of the gathering and introduced the Prime Minister, who was announced to deliver the first address. For an hour a.nd a-half Mr. Massey continued his speech in the face of an organised opposition on the part of a. section of the audience. He maintained his ground with characteristic good humour and pa.tience under extremely trying conditions. Some of the more prominent disturbers were removed by the police, but the disorder continued more or less until the end of the meeting, which was also addressed by Sir Joseph Ward, Minister of Finance, and by Mr. J. P. Luke. From the back of the hall there were frequent counter-cheers and calls for "cheers for Holland," when his name and the Maoriland Worker were mentioned, and attempts were made to "count out" the speakers. Dr. Thacker was also prominent, and his interjections eventually resulted in a spirited protest from Mr. Massey.